Enclosed benchtop raman spectrometry device

ABSTRACT

An enclosed benchtop analytical device, as well as systems, processes, and techniques related thereto are disclosed. A benchtop analytical device can include an enclosure enclosing a probe and a sample. A compliance component can determine satisfaction of one or more compliance rules, such as a compliance rule relating to an enclosure being in an operable configuration based on a lid of the enclosure being closed.. If the compliance rule(s) is determined to be satisfied, the compliance component may enable the release of optical energy for interrogation of the sample via the probe. In some embodiments, the enclosure can enclose a sample plate that can be used to conveniently and accurately retain a sample in a suitable position within the enclosure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to co-pendingand commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/897,754, filedFeb. 15, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/434,002, filed Feb. 15, 2017, now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,958,324. application Ser. Nos. 15/897,754 and15/434,002 are fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to enclosed benchtop analyticalequipment, e.g., benchtop chemical analysis equipment having anenclosure. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter relates tooptical analysis equipment, e.g., a Raman spectrometry device.

BACKGROUND

Conventional Raman spectrometers were often large industrial sizedinstruments. Developments in the fields of imaging and lasertechnologies have allowed Raman spectrometers to dramatically shrink insize, allowing for benchtop and even hand-held portable analyticalequipment that can provide highly detailed analytical information to auser in the field. Despite these advances, the Ramanspectrometer-to-sample interface of a conventional benchtop system isexposed to the external environment. As such, in an effort toaccommodate safe and effective use of the Raman instrument, theseconventional instruments are often used in special rooms to reduceambient light, or they are placed in fume hoods to remove noxious vaporsand fumes emanating from the sample. Often, an operator of aconventional Raman instrument uses laser-safe eye protection to shieldhis/her eyes from harmful light that may emanate from thespectrometer-to-sample interface. In some conventional systems,primitive enclosures in the form of a rudimentary lid or box can be usedto block light transmission, which may help protect an operator's eyesand/or block ambient light.

However, these primitive solutions typically introduce challenges, suchas, challenges in positioning a sample for analysis in a convenientmanner, difficulty in automating sequential sampling, a lack ofenvironmental control, and the like. For instance, once an operator of aconventional system blocks the spectrometer-to-sample interface with aprimitive enclosure, there is typically no way of confirming thelocation of the sample has not changed. Furthermore, there is generallyno way of sampling noxious samples short of placing the entire Ramaninstrument into a fume hood, and there is generally no way of regulatingthe environment of the sample without subjecting the entire Ramaninstrument to similar conditions by regulating the environment of theroom in which the Raman instrument is located. The disclosure madeherein is presented with respect to these and other considerations.

SUMMARY

Raman spectrometry typically experiences a great deal of loss in opticalpower between the interrogating optical energy and the returned opticalenergy. As such, optical energy sources, e.g., lasers, etc., are oftenquite powerful to allow for use of affordable detectors. While specialtydetectors could allow for use of lower energy interrogation lasers, thecost of the detectors and special operating conditions causes thisoption to be less viable in a commercial setting. It will be appreciatedthat powerful lasers can be a danger to human tissue, particularly thehuman eye.

To this end, the subject disclosure relates to an enclosed benchtopanalytical device, and methods of using the enclosed benchtop analyticaldevice. The benchtop analytical device may include a probe that isconfigured to perform optical spectroscopy of a sample. Accordingly, anoperator can place a sample within an enclosure of the benchtopanalytical device at a position where it can be interrogated by theprobe. A sample presentation component within the enclosure may be usedfor this purpose. With the sample in position, the operator may shut thelid of the enclosure, thereby enclosing the sample and the probe withinthe enclosure. A compliance component of the benchtop analytical devicemay confirm that the lid of the enclosure is completely shut beforeallowing the optical spectroscopy to commence. For example, thecompliance component may enable performance of the optical spectroscopyvia the probe in response to determining that a rule(s) is satisfied,such as a rule that is satisfied when the enclosure being in an operableconfiguration (e.g., the lid is closed). Thus, the compliance componentcontrols (e.g., enables or disables) the release of optical energy viathe probe such that optical energy is exclusively released from theprobe in instances when it is appropriate (e.g., safe) to do so. Thiscan allow for the designation of procedures, tolerances, and safetymeasures to be automatically monitored before allowing the analysis toproceed using the benchtop analytical device. Accordingly, operatorsafety is improved because the enclosure effectively shields theoperator's eyes (and any other user's eyes) from any emanating opticalenergy, and the probe is prevented from releasing optical energy whilethe enclosure is open, thereby protecting nearby users and/or observersin the vicinity of the benchtop analytical device. This makes itefficient and convenient to perform optical spectroscopy of a sample inany environment where the benchtop analytical device is located.

In some embodiments, the sample presentation component within theenclosure of the benchtop analytical device may include a sample plateto receive and support the sample within the enclosure. This sampleplate may be removable, and when placed in the enclosure, the sampleplate may rest within a retaining area that is defined in a body of theenclosure. The sample plate may include features and/or mechanisms toensure accurate and convenient positioning of the sample so thatefficiency of performing optical spectroscopy of a sample within theenclosure is improved, and to ensure that the position of the sampledoes not change after closing the lid of the enclosure. For example, thesample plate may have a sloped surface that slopes from a highest pointat a periphery of the sample plate to a lowest point at a locationadjacent to the probe when the sample plate is disposed in the plateretaining area. This allows for leveraging the force of gravity toretain the sample at a suitable position on the sample plate (e.g., in aline of sight of, and/or in contact with a tip of, the probe) after thelid of the enclosure is closed. Additionally, or alternatively, thesample plate may have a flat surface with a recessed area defined in theflat surface of the sample plate, wherein a portion of the recessed areais positioned at a location adjacent to the probe when the sample plateis disposed in the plate retaining area. This recessed area helps retainthe sample at a suitable position on the sample plate (e.g., in a lineof sight of, and/or in contact with a tip of, the probe) after the lidof the enclosure is closed. In yet other embodiments, the sample platemay be associated with an adjustment mechanism to adjust the position ofthe sample relative to the probe, which allows for convenientpositioning of the sample, and for retaining the sample at a suitableposition after the lid of the enclosure is closed.

A benchtop analytical device (e.g., a benchtop Raman spectrometer) withan enclosure according to one or more of the disclosed embodiments canserve to improve the operation and implementation of Raman spectrometersby allowing for safer operation, improved automation, a wider degree ofallowed samples, self-diagnosis of consumable elements, etc. Somedisclosed embodiments allow the operator to exchange different samplepresentation components (e.g., sample plates) within the enclosure toallow for interrogation of samples that are packaged in different typesof packaging (e.g., differently-shaped packaging). For example, packagedmedicine (pharmaceuticals) can be placed on an appropriate sample plate,which can then be placed in a plate retaining area defined in a body ofthe enclosure to allow for optical interrogation of pharmaceuticalsamples. In this scenario, an operator may simply select a verify buttonto commence optical spectroscopy of the sample within the enclosure, andone or more results of the analysis may be presented to the operator(e.g., on a display screen). The results presented to the operator mayindicate whether the type of sample (such as a type of medication) isverified via optical spectroscopy (e.g., by determining that an obtainedRaman spectra matches a known Raman spectra of the type of sample),and/or whether the concentration of the sample is verified via opticalspectroscopy. This is particularly useful in the pharmaceuticalindustry, for example, where the wrong types of medications and/or thewrong concentrations of medications can mysteriously find their way intostandard pharmaceutical packaging that is distributed and eventuallyused to treat patients in various settings, such as hospitals.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the disclosedsubject matter, then, includes one or more of the features hereinaftermore fully described. The following description and the annexed drawingsset forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the subject matter.However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various waysin which the principles of the subject matter can be employed. Otheraspects, advantages and novel features of the disclosed subject matterwill become apparent from the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the provided drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The subject disclosure is now described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the subject disclosure. It may be evident, however,that the subject disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example benchtop analyticaldevice including an enclosure shown in both an open and a closed state,the enclosure (in the closed state) to enclose a sample and a probe, inaccordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates side and front views of the example enclosure of thebenchtop analytical device of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example benchtop analyticaldevice including an enclosure in both an open and a closed state, theenclosure (in the closed state) to enclose a sample and a probe, inaccordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an example enclosure of abenchtop analytical device, and example sample plates that can beremovably disposed within the enclosure, in accordance with aspects ofthe subject disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, takenalong section line A-A, of an example sample plate that is implementedin a benchtop analytical device where a probe is disposed within anaperture of the sample plate, and a sample is placed on a topside of thesample plate.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example system facilitating enclosing asample to probe interface in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of an example system that facilitates indirectmonitoring of a sample to probe interface for a benchtop analyticaldevice including an enclosure in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example system that facilitates direct monitoringof a sample to probe interface of a benchtop analytical device includingan enclosure in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example system enabling environmental controlwithin an enclosed benchtop analytical device in accordance with aspectsof the subject disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example system that facilitates translation of asample stage for an enclosed benchtop analytical device in accordancewith aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example system enabling cleaning or replacementof an exchangeable optical element component of a probe for an enclosedbenchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example system including an enclosure of abenchtop analytical device and a computer coupled thereto for providinga user interface for operational control of the system and for viewinganalysis results in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 13 depicts an example process facilitating release of opticalinterrogation energy based on satisfaction of a rule for an enclosedbenchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 14 depicts an example process facilitating release of opticalinterrogation energy based on satisfaction of rules for an enclosedbenchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example process enabling emission of firstinterrogating optical energy based on an indication of contact between aprobe and a sample and a concurrent indication of sufficientlyattenuated non-interrogation optical energy in accordance with aspectsof the subject disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example process facilitating sequential opticalinterrogation of samples at different sample locations within anenclosed benchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example process enabling verification of a typeof sample and/or a concentration of the sample by performing opticalspectroscopy of the sample within an enclosure of a benchtop analyticaldevice in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 18 depicts an example schematic block diagram of a computingenvironment with which the disclosed subject matter can interact.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example block diagram of a computing systemoperable to execute the disclosed systems and processes in accordancewith some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be noted that the disclosed embodiments can be presentedseparately for clarity and brevity but that combinations of thedisclosed embodiments are also considered to be within the scope of thepresent disclosure, for example, a first embodiment can disclose anenclosure with a viewport and a second embodiment can disclose anenclosure with an environmental control unit, and a third embodiment candisclose an enclosure with an imaging system, accordingly, an embodimentwith both a viewport and an environmental control is considered, anembodiment with both a viewport and an imaging system is considered, anembodiment with an imaging system and an environmental control isconsidered, and an embodiment with a viewport, an environmental control,and an imaging system is considered, etc. improve the efficiency ofRaman spectral analysis, lower training costs, improve safety, allow foranalysis of a wider range of samples, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example benchtop analyticaldevice 100 including an enclosure 110 that can be in either an opened ora closed state. The enclosure 110 of the benchtop analytical device 100may (in the closed state) enclose a probe 102, in accordance withaspects of the subject disclosure. The benchtop analytical device 100disclosed herein may facilitate non-contact-type optical interrogationof a sample from a distance, e.g., a focal point of the incident beammay be a determined distance from a most distal portion (e.g., the tip)of the probe 102. With non-contact-type optical interrogation, thesample itself (or a package containing the sample) may neverthelesscontact the tip of the probe 102, but the sample (or its package) doesnot have to contact the tip of the probe 102 in non-contact-type opticalinterrogation. Various examples described herein disclose the “sample”being “in contact with” the probe 102. It is to be appreciated that the“sample” being “in contact with” the probe 102 can mean that the sampleitself is in contact with the probe 102, or, in the alternative, that apackage (or container) containing the sample is in contact with theprobe 102. In the latter case, the package containing the sample may betransparent to allow for optical interrogation of the sample within thepackage. Non-contact-type optical interrogation may be used to analyzesamples while they remain packaged within their transparent packagesbecause the focal point of the incident beam may be located inside thepackage (i.e., a determined distance from the tip of the probe 102) whenthe sample package is positioned near (i.e., within a threshold distanceof), or placed in contact with, the tip of the probe 102.

In some embodiments, the probe 102 may facilitate contact-type opticalinterrogation of a sample. Contact-type optical interrogation is when amost distal portion (e.g., the tip) of the probe 102 is in contact withthe sample during optical interrogation. An example probe 102 thatfacilitates contact-type optical interrogation of a sample is a probe102 having a spherical lens for directing optical energy at a sampleinterface that coincides with a point where the sample makes contactwith the most distal portion (e.g., the tip) of the probe 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, the enclosure 110 may include a lid 114 and a body116. The lid 114 may be movable between an opened position and a closedposition relative to the body 116 of the enclosure 110. The lid 114 isshown in the open position on the left side of FIG. 1, and in the closedposition on the right side of FIG. 1. A contact sensor disposed in or onthe enclosure 110 may determine when the lid 114 of the enclosure 110 isin the closed position (and also when the lid 114 is not in the closedposition), and the contact sensor may provide an indication to acompliance component of the benchtop analytical device 100 to indicatewhen the enclosure 110 is in compliance with a compliance rule relatingto the enclosure being in an operable configuration (e.g., the enclosure110 may be in an operable configuration when the lid 114 of theenclosure 110 is in the closed position). Before optical energy isreleased or emitted via the probe 102 to perform optical spectroscopy ofa sample in the enclosure 110, the compliance component may determinewhether the compliance rule(s) is satisfied, and if so, enable therelease of the optical energy via the probe 102. The compliance rulerelating to an operable configuration of the enclosure 110 may be one ofa group of compliance rules that are to be concurrently satisfied beforeproceeding with the optical spectroscopy of the sample, as describedherein.

In an aspect, the lid 114 may include a viewport 150. In an aspect, theviewport 150 can be optically transparent at select wavelengths to allowdirect viewing of an analysis with operator safety and reduction ofartifacts in the captured spectrum. As an example, the viewport 150 caninclude a laser safe window to attenuate laser light that can escape thesample interface, which can protect an operator. As another example, theviewport 150 can include a shutter, sliding plate, etc., that canphysically block light transmission. In this example, the operator candirectly view the sample, for example to position it, then can providean input, e.g., press a start (or verify) button, etc., that can triggera shutter to close, the analysis to proceed, and then the shutter toopen. The shuttering process can be kept brief, being perhaps justslightly longer than the time needed to interrogate the sampleoptically. In an aspect, the shutter can ‘blink’ to protect the operatorfrom laser light and to shield the interface from ambient light. Whereasa compliance component can enable the release of the laser energy viathe probe 102 when the shutter is closed, the action of triggering theshutter can in effect also cause the laser to fire on the sample. Itwill be noted that heuristic timing can be incorporated into the exampleto provide for a slight delay after the triggering of the shutter beforelasing the sample begins, and correspondingly, a slight delay betweenthe end of lasing and the reopening of the shutter. The operator candirectly view the sample/probe interface via the viewport 150 while thelid 114 of the enclosure 110 is closed. Other embodiments describedherein use additional imaging components to extend the human senses in asimilar manner, allowing analysis of fragile or dangerous samples, suchas in an automated manner with a variety of instrumental modes, whilemonitoring a condition of the instrument and providing a safer and morecomfortable bench top analysis environment.

The body 116 of the enclosure 110 may include various components andelectronics of the system, such as components of a Raman spectrometer toprocess/analyze the results of Raman analysis of a sample within theenclosure 110. The enclosure 110 may be part of the benchtop analyticaldevice 100 configured to allow an operator to perform analyses ofsamples. For instance, the benchtop analytical device 100 may furtherinclude, and the enclosure 110 may be communicatively coupled (wired orwirelessly) to, a computer having a display for presentation of userinterface controls and analysis results (e.g., Raman spectra, sampledeterminations, etc.). In some embodiments, such a computer can beintegrated or embedded in the body 116 of the enclosure 110, and theenclosure 110 may include an embedded display, such as the display 111shown in FIG. 1.

The enclosure 110 may include various input and/or output components,such as a power button 170 that an operator can actuate (e.g., press) topower on the electronics of the enclosure 110 (and electronics of thebenchtop analytical device 100 in general). The enclosure 110 mayfurther include one or more light emitting diode (LED) indicators 180 toindicate various things, such as to indicate that power is on, toindicate that sample analysis (e.g., optical spectroscopy) is inprogress, to indicate that the enclosure 110 is in an operableconfiguration (e.g., that the lid 114 is in the closed position), etc.

The probe 102 may be mounted on the body 116 and oriented in a downwardfacing direction. That is, the probe 102 may point in the negativez-direction, as shown in FIG. 1, by including optical elements (e.g., alens(es), etc.) that direct optical energy—in the form of laserlight—from an excitation source in the negative z-direction (or downwarddirection), and that collect scattered light reflected from a sample inthe positive z-direction.

In some embodiments, the probe 102 can include an optical element todirect optical energy at a sample. As an example, the probe 102 can be aBallProbe® (MarqMetrix Inc., Seattle, Wash.) for Raman immersiontesting, contact Raman testing, etc. The probe 102 can include othertechnologies, e.g., an infrared (IR) probe, a resistance probe, aconductivity probe, a pH probe, a biomarker probe, etc., withoutdeparting from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter aswill be appreciated by one of skill in the relevant arts.

Moreover, while this disclosure is generally presented in terms of Ramanspectroscopy for clarity and brevity, it is asserted that similaradvantages can be provided for other benchtop instruments, includingthose using other optical analysis techniques such asultraviolet/visible (UV-Vis), near infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (FTIR),fluorescence, etc., and that all such other uses are within the scope ofthe present disclosure despite not being explicitly recited.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter canperform Raman spectroscopy serially or in parallel with other opticalanalysis techniques such as UV-Vis, NIR, FTIR, fluorescence, etc., e.g.,a Raman spectrum can be captured along with another optical analysis forthe same sample at substantially the same time, such that an operatordoes not need to move the sample from a Raman instrument to a NIRinstrument, to a FTIR instrument, etc. In some embodiments, thedisclosed subject matter can support Raman performed in series or inparallel for multiple excitation energies, e.g., 532 nm, 785 nm, 1064nm, etc. Further still, some embodiments can combine imaging with Ramanspectra, e.g., a picture of the sample and a Raman spectrum mapped tothe picture.

The enclosure 110 may further include a sample plate 120 (an embodimentof a sample presentation component, as disclosed herein). The probe 102and/or sample plate 120 may move relative to the other, e.g., in the x-,y-, and z-planes, rotationally, etc. This can allow a sample to bepositioned relative to the probe 102 to enable optical analysis, e.g.,Raman spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, etc., atdetermined locations of the sample.

In an aspect, sample plate 120 can move relative to the probe 102, e.g.,in the x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able topresent different portions of a sample, different samples, etc., foranalysis via probe 102. In an example, a position of sample plate 120and probe 102 can be determined. The positon can be employed todetermine that the sample is appropriately oriented for opticalinterrogation. In some example embodiments, sample plate 120 can includea multi-well plate. This can enable analysis of samples in one or morewells of the multi-well plate.

In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter contemplates that theposition of the optical interrogation of a sample can be altered. In anaspect, this can be achieved by moving the probe 102 relative to thesample, moving the sample relative to the probe 102, or both moving thesample and the probe 102 relative to each other. In this disclosure,except where explicitly disclosed as being exclusive of other relativemovement, descriptions of moving the sample can be accomplished by theseor other techniques, e.g., changing the focal position of theinterrogating optical energy with or without movement of the probe 102or the sample, etc. In effect, the present disclosure is, in part,directed to analysis of different portions of a sample within theenclosed area of the disclosed device or system. As an example, where asample is liquid and the probe 102 is dipped in to the liquid, e.g.,in-situ analysis, different portions of the sample can be analyzed atleast by moving the probe 102 tip in the sample, moving the samplearound the probe 102, moving both the probe 102 and the sample, changinga focal length of the interrogating laser to sample a different area ofthe sample with/without moving the sample and/or probe 102, flowing thesample past the probe 1002, etc.

In some embodiments, movement of sample plate 120 (in at least onedirection) can be enabled by an adjustment mechanism 129 (such as a dialcoupled to a translation mechanism). The adjustment mechanism 129 can beused (e.g., manipulated, rotated, etc.) by an operator while the lid 114is in the opened position to cause movement (e.g., translationalmovement, such as along the z-axis) of the sample plate 120. This allowsfor convenient and accurate positioning of the sample relative to theprobe 102, and it ensures that the position of the sample does notchange after closure of the lid 114. A compliance component of thebenchtop analytical device 100 can determine whether the enclosure 110is closed and/or whether the probe 102 is in contact with a sampleplaced on the sample plate 102 using the various techniques describedherein. In an aspect, probe 102 can move relative to sample plate 120,e.g., in the x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to beable to access different portions of a sample, different samples, etc.,for analysis. The enclosure 110 may further include a spill tray 131disposed underneath the sample plate 120 to catch or collect any of thesample that spills over the edges of the sample plate 120. This spilltray 131 may be removable so as to discard any contents (e.g., spilledsample) collected therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates side and front views of the example enclosure 110 ofthe benchtop analytical device 100 introduced in FIG. 1, in accordancewith aspects of the subject disclosure. The side view (shown on the leftside of FIG. 2) depicts the enclosure 110 in an opened state where thelid 114 is fully opened to reveal the interior of the enclosure 110. Thefront view (shown on the right side of FIG. 2) also depicts theenclosure 110 in the opened state where the lid 114 is fully opened toreveal the interior of the enclosure 110.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rail 217 on the body 116 of the enclosure 110 mayallow the sample plate 120 to be mounted thereon, and may allow thesample plate 120 to move translationally in the positive or negativez-direction (i.e., up or down). The adjustment mechanism 129 may be usedby an operator while the enclosure 110 is opened for making suchlarge-scale position adjustments so as to position the sample plate 120so that the probe 102 is at least close to (e.g., within a fewmillimeters of), or in contact with, the sample supported by the sampleplate 120. After closing the enclosure 110, the operator may be able tomake fine-tuned, or small-scale, adjustments, if necessary, to either orboth of the sample plate 120 and/or the probe 102. The operator mayutilize a remote or external control mechanism that controls themovement of the sample plate 120 and/or the probe 102 in smallincrements. In an example, the operator can see through the viewport 150while he/she uses external adjustment controls, an imaging component,and/or an illumination component, etc., to adjust the position relativeposition of the sample plate 120 and the probe 102. FIG. 2 shows anexample enclosure 110 having a probe 102 configured to performcontact-type optical interrogation of a sample by a most distal portionof the probe 102 being in contact with the sample at the sampleinterface during optical interrogation. The benchtop analytical device100, including the enclosure 110, can be moved by an operator to anysuitable location and utilized to perform optical spectroscopy ofsamples, providing convenient portability to an operator of the benchtopanalytical device 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example benchtop analyticaldevice 300 according to another embodiment. The benchtop analyticaldevice 300 may include an enclosure 310 that can be in either an open ora closed state. The enclosure 310 may enclose a sample and a probe 302,in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure. The enclosure 310may represent at least part of the benchtop analytical device 300 (e.g.,an analytical instrument for performing Raman spectroscopy). Theenclosure 310 may include a lid 314 and a body 316. The lid 314 may bemovable, relative to the body 316, between an opened position and aclosed position. The lid 314 is shown in the open position on the leftside of FIG. 3, and in the closed position on the right side of FIG. 3.A two-part latch mechanism may include a first latch component 318(1) onthe lid 314, and a second latch component 318(2) on the body 316, andthese latch components 318 matingly engage when the lid 314 is movedinto the closed position. A contact sensor disposed in the two-partlatch mechanism 318, or elsewhere on the enclosure 310, may determinewhen the enclosure 310 is closed, and the contact sensor may provide anindication to a compliance component of the benchtop analytical device300 to indicate when the enclosure 310 is in compliance with acompliance rule that the enclosure 310 is to be in an operableconfiguration before optical energy is released via the probe 302 toperform optical spectroscopy on a sample. The compliance rule that theenclosure 310 is in an operable configuration before proceeding with ananalysis of a sample may be one of a group of compliance rules that areto be concurrently satisfied before proceeding with performance of theoptical spectroscopy, as described herein.

The body 316 of the enclosure 310 may include various components andelectronics of the system, such as components of a Raman spectrometer toprocess/analyze the results of Raman analysis of a sample within theenclosure 310. The enclosure 310 may be part of the benchtop analyticaldevice 300 configured to allow an operator to perform analyses ofsamples. For instance, the enclosure 310 may be communicatively coupled(wired or wirelessly) to a computer having a display for presentation ofuser interface controls and analysis results (e.g., Raman spectra,sample determinations, etc.). In some embodiments, such a computer canbe integrated or embedded in the body 316 of the enclosure 310, and theenclosure 310 may include an embedded display.

The enclosure 310 may include various input and/or output components,such as a power button 370 that an operator can actuate (e.g., press) topower on the electronics of the enclosure 310 (and/or electronics of thebenchtop analytical device 300 in general). The enclosure 310 may alsoinclude one or more LED indicators 380 to indicate various things, suchas to indicate that power is on, to indicate that sample analysis is inprogress, to indicate that the enclosure 310 is in an operableconfiguration, etc.

The probe 302 may be mounted on the body 316 and oriented in an upwardfacing direction. That is, the probe 302 may point in the positivez-direction, as shown in FIG. 3, by including optical elements (e.g., alens(es), etc.) that direct laser light from an excitation source in thepositive z-direction (or upward direction), and that collect scatteredlight reflected from a sample in the negative z-direction. The probe mayinclude a non-spherical lens (e.g., a lens having a flat surface at adistalmost point of the lens) for enabling non-contact-type opticalinterrogation of a sample (e.g., by creating a focal point of anincident beam that is a determined distance from a tip of the probe302).

A plate retaining area 328 may be defined in the body 316 of theenclosure 310 and may surround the probe 302. The plate retaining area328 may have a sloped surface that slopes downward (i.e., in thenegative z-direction) from a highest point at a periphery of the body316 to a lowest point adjacent to the probe 302. This sloped contour ofthe plate retaining area 328 can allow for sample plates of variousdesigns/shapes, etc. to be placed in the plate retaining area, and canalso allow for providing a degree of separation (if separation isdesired) between the tip of the probe 302 and a sample when a sampleplate is placed in the plate retaining area 328.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an example enclosure 410, andan example sample plate 420(1) being placed in the enclosure 410, inaccordance with aspects of the subject disclosure. The enclosure 410 mayhave a plate retaining area 428, which may be the same as, or similarto, the plate retaining area 328 described with reference to FIG. 3. Theplate retaining area 428 may be configured (e.g., shaped) to receivevarious sample plates 420 (one at a time), such as the first sampleplate 420(1), the second sample plate 420(2), and possibly additionalsample plates 420, such as any number of “N” sample plates 420(1)-(N)that may be exchanged for one another and placed within the enclosure410. Thus, a sample plate 420 may be disposed on the body 416 of theenclosure 410 and within the plate retaining area 428 in order tosupport a sample thereon for interrogation of the sample via the probe402. The individual sample plate 420 may be rectangular in shape andconfigured to support a sample (e.g., a liquid sample in a package). Theindividual sample plate 420 may be shaped similarly to the shape of theplate retaining area 428 to fit securely on the body and within theplate retaining area 428. Although FIG. 4 shows an example of multiplerectangular-shaped sample plates 420 that are to be placed in arectangular-shaped plate retaining area 428 of the enclosure 410, it isto be appreciated that any suitable shape besides rectangular can beutilized for the sample plate(s) 420 and the plate retaining area 428.

Furthermore, an aperture 423(1) may be defined in the sample plate420(1). The aperture 423(1) may be defined in a location on the sampleplate 420(1) that is aligned (in the vertical, z-direction) with theprobe 402 when the sample plate 420(1) is placed in the enclosure 410.An aperture 423(2) may be defined in the sample plate 420(2) in asimilar manner. When a sample plate, such as the sample plate 420(1), isplaced in the enclosure 410, the probe 402 is inserted (or disposed)within the aperture 423(1) of the sample plate 420(1). Furthermore, whenthe sample plate 420(1) is placed in the enclosure 410, a sample can bepositioned over the aperture 423(1) of the sample plate 420(1), and onthe topside of the sample plate 420(1). In this manner, the probe 402(being vertically oriented and pointing in an upward (i.e., positive z)direction) may interrogate the sample from underneath the sample whenthe sample plate 420(1) is disposed on the body 416 of the enclosure 410within the plate retaining area 428. In the example configuration shownin FIG. 4, an operator can conveniently place a sample (e.g., apharmaceutical contained in a package) on the sample plate 420(1) suchthat the sample is positioned over the aperture 423(1), and the sampleis held in place against the sample plate 420(1) by the force ofgravity. The operator may then close the lid 414 of the enclosure 410and the analysis may proceed (e.g., after a compliance componentdetermines that the lid 414 is in the closed position) by directinglaser light via the probe 402 at the sample while the enclosure 410 isclosed, and by collecting scattered light via the probe 402.

Turning briefly to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view, taken along sectionline A-A, of an example sample plate 520 is shown with a probe 502disposed through the aperture 523 of the sample plate 520, such as whenthe sample plate 520 is implemented in a benchtop analytical device, andwhen a sample 590 is placed on the sample plate 520. As shown in FIG. 5,the probe 502 may direct laser light in the positive z-direction at afocal point 595 that is a determined distance from a most distal end ofthe probe 502. The example of FIG. 5 shows a liquid sample 590 containedin a transparent sample package 598. This may represent a packagedpharmaceutical that includes a liquid sample 590 within a transparentplastic package 598. This is also an example where the sample 590 isconsidered to be in contact with the probe 502 by virtue of the samplepackage 598 being in contact with the probe 502. Thus, the “sample 590being in contact with the probe 502,” as used herein, can be interpretedas the configuration shown in FIG. 5. The focal point 595 of theexcitation beam of laser light 540 may be at a point within the samplepackage 598 so that the sample 590 within the package is interrogated(rather than interrogating the sample package 598 itself). The slopedcontour of the surface of the sample plate 520 helps to ensure that thefocal point 595 will be at a point within the sample 590 instead of apoint within an air pocket within the sample package 598, for example.That is, the upward slope causes any air pockets/bubbles to move to theside or the edge of the sample package 598, thereby maximizing thedepth/height of sample 590 (e.g., liquid sample 590) over the locationof the aperture 523 (and hence over the probe 502). The transparentnature of the sample package 598 allows the laser light 540 to passthrough the sample package 598 and to excite the molecules of the sample590 within the sample package 598 at the focal point 595, rather thanfocusing the excitation beam on the package material itself. Althoughsample plates 520 having an aperture 523 are depicted in the Figures, itis to be appreciated that a sample plate without an aperture can beutilized, such as by being transparent to allow for opticalinterrogation through the sample plate. In this case, the probe 502would be disposed on an underside of the sample plate, rather thanthrough the sample plate where the tip of the probe 502 can extend abovea top surface of the sample plate 520, as depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 also illustrates how the sample plate 520 can have a sloped (top)surface that slopes from a highest point 521 at a periphery of thesample plate 520 to a lowest point 527 at a location adjacent to theaperture 523 (and hence at a location adjacent to the probe 502 when thesample plate 520 is disposed on the body 416 of the enclosure 410 withinthe plate retaining area 428). Furthermore, as mentioned above, a tip ofthe probe 502 may extend above the lowest point 527 of the slopedsurface of the sample plate 520 when the sample plate 520 is disposed onthe body 416 of the enclosure 410 within the plate retaining area 428.As such, the sample 590 (or, more specifically, the package 598containing the sample 590) may contact the tip of the probe 520 when thesample 590 is placed on the topside of the sample plate 520 over theaperture 523. In other configurations, the tip of the probe 502 may notextend above the lowest point 527 of the sloped surface of the sampleplate 520. For example, the tip of the probe 502 may terminate at alevel that is flush with the lowest point 527 of the sloped surface ofthe sample plate 520, or below the lowest point 527 of the slopedsurface of the sample plate 520. In these configurations, the tip of theprobe 502 may not contact a sample 590 (or, more specifically, thepackage 598 containing the sample 590) when the sample 590 is placed onthe sample plate 520, and when the sample plate 520 is placed in theplate retaining area 428 of the enclosure 410.

With reference again to FIG. 4, in an example, multiple exchangeablesample plates 420(1)-(N) are depicted. As shown, the second sample plate420(2) includes a flat surface with a recessed area 425 defined in theflat surface. The recessed area 425 defined on the flat surface of thesample plate 420(2) may be shaped in such a way so as to receive aparticular type of sample (e.g., a sample contained in a package havinga particular shape). For instance, samples may be packaged indifferently-shaped containers. In an illustrative example, a liquidpharmaceutical can be packaged in an intravenous (IV) bag, a syringe, orany other suitable type of container, package, or device. Accordingly,the first sample plate 420(1) may be configured to accommodate an IVbag, while the second sample plate 420(2) may include a recessed area425 shaped to accommodate a syringe. Although examples of samples plates420 are shown as having either a sloped surface (e.g., sample plate420(1)) or a recessed area 425 defined in a flat surface of the sampleplate 420 (e.g., sample plate 420(2)), the sample plate 420, in at leastsome aspects, may have a flat surface without a recessed area, or asurface that is not sloped (i.e., a substantially flat surface). Inthese aspects, the sample plate 420 with a substantially flat surfacemay still include an aperture 423 through which the probe 402 cananalyze a sample.

The second sample plate 420(2) is also shown as including multiplepositioning blocks 427(1) and 427(2) that the operator can manipulate toadjust the position of a syringe that includes a sample therein so thatthe sample in the syringe can be positioned over the aperture 423(2).The positioning blocks 427(1) and 427(2) may be slidingly coupled to, orengaged with, the sample plate 420(2), such as by using a magneticcoupling mechanism, a dovetailed slot, or the like. In this manner, thefirst sample plate 420(1) can be placed in the enclosure 410 to performa first analysis by interrogating a liquid sample packaged in an IV bag.Subsequently, the operator can remove the first sample plate 420(1) fromthe enclosure 410 and replace it with the second sample plate 420(2) tointerrogate a liquid sample packaged in a syringe. Moreover, acompliance component of the benchtop analytical device can, in someembodiments, check for the presence of a sample plate 420 to determineif the (correct) sample plate 420 is placed within the enclosure 410before allowing the analysis to proceed. The compliance component mayadditionally, or alternatively, check for the presence of a sample todetermine if the (correct) sample is placed within the enclosure 410before allowing the analysis to proceed. In an illustrative example, theoperator may indicate, via user input to a user interface, that he/shewould like to analyze a sample packaged in an IV bag. The first sampleplate 420(1) that is configured to accommodate samples packaged in IVbags, may be associated with a machine-readable code (e.g., a codeprinted on the sample plate 420(1)). Upon placing the correct sampleplate 420(1) within the enclosure 410, a code reader of the enclosure410 may read the machine-readable code (e.g., a bar code, a quickresponse (QR) code, etc.) and determine whether the code matches a codecorresponding to IV bag packaging. This information may be used by thecompliance component to determine whether the sample plate 420(1) is incompliance with a compliance rule by being the correct samplepresentation component 420. In other embodiments, a sensor (e.g., anoptical detector, etc.) may be configured to detect the presence of asample plate 420 within the enclosure 410 for purposes of satisfying acompliance rule that a sample plate 420 (e.g., any sample plate) is tobe placed in the enclosure 410 before the analysis proceeds. A weight orpressure sensor may be used to determine if and when a sample plate420(1) and/or a sample has been placed in the enclosure 410 for purposesof satisfying one or more of the compliance rules described herein. Insome embodiments, the sample plates 420 are disposable or single-usesample plates 420, such as by being made of a relatively cheap plasticor compostable material that is easy and cost effective to manufacture(e.g., via injection molding) at scale. Disposable sample plates 420 maybe used in environments where sterility and cleanliness is of the utmostimportance, such as in situations where chemotherapy medicine is beinganalyzed.

The benchtop analytical device 300 may be optimized to analyze (byperforming optical spectroscopy) a sample through packaging. Thus,samples that are typically packaged in containers/packaging can beplaced in the enclosure 310/410 without removing the sample 590 from itssample package 598. This is convenient for an operator using thebenchtop analytical device 300/400 in certain settings, such as toanalyze medications or pharmaceuticals in transparent packaging, toanalyze food or drink that is packaged in transparent packaging, etc.The enclosure 310/410 is also easy for an operator to move from onelocation to another, making it convenient to perform opticalspectroscopy on samples at any suitable location (e.g., in a hospital, apharmacy, a restaurant, a manufacturing plant, etc.).

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a system 600, which facilitates enclosing asample to probe interface in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure. System 600 can include enclosure 610. Enclosure 610 canenclose an interface between a sample and a probe 602. In someembodiments, enclosure 610 can enclose probe 602 and sample presentationcomponent 620. Probe 602 and sample presentation component 620 can becommunicatively coupled to compliance component 612. In someembodiments, enclosure 610 can be a configured to rest on a surface,such as a table, bench, etc., as part of a benchtop analytical device,and may support probe 602 and sample presentation component 620, toallow an operator to open a portion of enclosure 610 to place a sampleon sample presentation component 620 such that probe 602 can be used toanalyze a sample within enclosure 610, e.g., enclosure 610 can be, or bepart of, an enclosed benchtop Raman spectrometer, etc.

In some embodiments, probe 602 can include an interface for ananalytical instrument to interrogate a sample, e.g., in a Ramanspectrometer instrument, probe 602 can direct optical energy at asample. In some embodiments, probe 602 can include an optical element,e.g., a lens, etc. that directs optical energy at a sample. In anexample, the optical element of the probe 602 is configured to directoptical energy at a sample to facilitate non-contact-type opticalinterrogation of the sample from a distance, e.g., a focal point of theincident beam is a determined distance from the tip of the probe 602.For example, an aperture may be defined in a sample plate (which is anembodiment of the sample presentation component 620), and the probe 602may be disposed within the aperture. A sample can be positioned on atopside of the sample plate over the location of the aperture. In thismanner, the probe 602 is configured to direct optical energy at thesample from underneath the sample. In some configurations, even thoughthe optical spectroscopy may not require the probe to contact thesample, the probe 602 may nevertheless be in contact with the sample(which, as mentioned herein, includes contact with the sample's packagewhen the sample is contained in a transparent package) during opticalspectroscopy of the sample. In an example configuration, the sample canbe placed on the sample plate and held in place against the sample plateby the force of gravity and/or by sloped surface of, or a recessed area425 defined in, the surface of the sample plate.

In some embodiments, the probe 602 may facilitate contact-type opticalinterrogation of a sample by a most distal portion of the probe 602being in contact with the sample during optical interrogation. Anexample probe 602 that facilitates contact-type optical interrogation ofa sample is a probe having a spherical lens. In an example, thespherical optical element (or lens) creates a focal point of theincident optical beam that is located at an interface between thespherical optical element and the sample where the sample contacts themost distal point of the probe 602. The spherical optical element can bea BallProbe® (MarqMetrix Inc., Seattle, Wash.). A BallProbe® can enableRaman spectrometry. In an aspect, a BallProbe® can allow for in-situRaman spectrometry via probe 602. An example benchtop analytical deviceincluding a BallProbe® can perform Raman spectrometry by dipping orinserting the BallProbe® into a sample, against a sample, etc., andinitiating an analytical interrogation of said sample.

In general, the probe 602 can facilitate analytical interrogation of thesample to excite atomic bonds of molecules in the sample such that aRaman spectrum can be captured, e.g., a response from sampleinterrogation. The Raman spectrum can then be analyzed. The analysis ofthe Raman spectrum can be based on reference Raman spectra. Of note, theterms ‘spectrometry’ and ‘spectroscopy’ are frequently usedinterchangeably in the art, though they can have slightly differentconnotations. The term ‘spectrometry’ is used in this disclosure inrelation to the capture, analysis, and generation of results based onspectral information elicited via interrogation of a sample, as‘spectrometry’ is believed to be the more correct term in this regard.However, the term ‘spectrometry’ is to be treated as inclusive of thecommon connotation of the term ‘spectroscopy’ as used by those of skillin the related art, unless otherwise explicitly indicated as having anarrower or different meaning in this disclosure.

In an aspect, embodiments of probe 602 can be constructed of nearly anymaterial suitable to an expected sample environment. A probe can includea suitable polymer, e.g., polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate(PET), silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc. A probe caninclude other materials, such as, but not limited to, stainless steel,gold, or other metal; borosilicate or other glass; starches or othercarbohydrates, etc.; or nearly any other material suitable to aparticular sample environment. Moreover, materials can be machined,sintered, cast, injection molded, 3D-printed, etc., for example to forma body, optical element seat, shroud, etc., of a probe. Moreover, insome embodiments, an optical element can be ‘spherical,’ and can beseparately manufactured and added to the body, either as part of amolding process, bonded with an adhesive, attached with a friction orpress fit, mechanically captured, etc. In other embodiments, the‘spherical’ optical element can be co-formed with the body as part of amolding process, e.g., the spherical optical element can be formed, ofthe same or a different material, with the removable optical assembly ininjection molding; can be formed, of the same or a different material,with the removable optical assembly in 3D printing; etc. Additionally,‘spherical’ optics can be manufactured from nearly any appropriatematerial, including the same or different materials as the body of aremovable optical assembly. Non-limiting examples of appropriatematerials can include a polymer, glass, mineral, etc., depending on theoptical properties suited to a given scenario. Of note, the term‘spherical’ optical element, or similar terms, as used herein, generallymeans an optical element, e.g., a lens, etc., that has a spherical, ornearly spherical, geometry. Moreover, the term ‘spherical opticalelement,’ as used herein, also includes any optical element thatconducts light via a portion of the optical element that includes acurved surface approximating at least a portion of a sphere, forexample, where sphere of optical glass has an shallow equatorial trenchground into it, such as to capture a retaining ring, etc., the resultingoptical element, within the context of the instant disclosure, wouldstill be considered a spherical optical element so long as lightenters/exits the non-equatorial portions. As another example, aninjection molded spherical optical element can include a protrusion,e.g., resembling a lollipop on a stick, and, within the context of theinstant disclosure, would still be considered a spherical opticalelement. As a further example, an optical element including twoindividual hemispherical portions can also be considered a sphericalelement within the scope of the instant disclosure. It is to beappreciated that a lensing optical element of the probe 602 may be of adifferent shape than spherical, as described herein. For example, withnon-contact-type optical interrogation of the sample from a distance, anon-spherical optical element (e.g., lens) may be utilized in the probe602, such as a lens with a substantially flat surface at the distalmostpoint of the probe tip.

Sample presentation component 620 can include a sample retention portionthat can retain a sample (e.g., the sloped surface and/or the recessedarea 425 of the sample plates 420 shown in FIG. 4). In an aspect, samplepresentation component 620 can include an adjustment mechanism allowingcontrolled motion of a sample stage or plate. In a further aspect,sample presentation component 620 can include a sensing componentallowing for detection of interaction with a sample supported by asample stage or plate. In another aspect, sample presentation component620 can include a sample-arranging portion that allows placement of asample for retention. As examples, sample presentation component 620 canbe a liquid flow cell, a gas flow cell, a sample stage, a sample plate,etc. As other examples, sample presentation component 620 can be asample stage or plate with a multi-well plate connector allowing amulti-well plate to be connected to the sample stage. This examplesample stage or plate, in some embodiments can be connected to atranslation component that can move the sample stage or plate, andthereby the multi-well plate relative to probe 602. This can enablesequential analysis of samples in one or more wells of the multi-wellplate. In an aspect, a flow cell for either gas or liquid can bemanifolded to enable handling of multiple gas/liquid streams, e.g.,multiple sample inputs, reagent inputs, cleaning agent inputs, etc. Thesample presentation component 620 may include a sample plate having anaperture defined therein, and a sloped surface or a recessed area aroundthe aperture. A recessed area of the sample plate may be shaped toreceive a sample package having a corresponding shape so that a samplecan be interrogated through the package.

Enclosure 610 can provide optical separation between an operator and theinterface between the sample and a probe. This can reduce the risk of anoperator being exposed to optical energy that can escape from theinterface area. Moreover, the enclosure 610 can reduce ambient lightentering the interface, which can thereby reduce errors in analysisresulting from stray light reaching an optical detector of the benchtopinstrument.

Compliance component 612 can be communicatively coupled to one or moreof the enclosure 610, probe 602, and sample presentation component 620.Compliance component 612 can receive a compliance rule related to anaspect of system 600. Compliance component 612 can determine that thecompliance rule has been satisfied. In an aspect, compliance component612 can determine concurrent compliance with a group of compliance rulesrelated to aspects of system 600. As an example, compliance component612 can determine that an aspect of probe 602, and aspect of samplepresentation component 620, and an aspect of enclosure 610 areconcurrently compliant. As a more detailed example, probe 602 can bedetermined to be compliant based on determining than the attached probeis fit for a designated analysis profile, sample presentation component620 can be determined to be compliant based on detecting that contacthas been made with a sample on or in the sample presentation component620, and enclosure 610 can be determined to be compliant based on outputfrom a sensor associated with detecting when the enclosure 610 isclosed, such that the compliance component can determine that,concurrently, the correct probe is on, the enclosure is closed, and theprobe 602 has been put into contact with the sample of the samplepresentation component 620. As another example, the sample presentationcomponent 620 may be in the form of an exchangeable sample plate so thatan operator can remove the sample plate from the enclosure 610 andreplace it with another sample plate. The compliance component 612 can,in some embodiments, determine that the enclosure 610 is closed, andconcurrently check for the presence of a sample presentation component620 and/or that a sample is placed on or in the sample presentationcomponent 620. In some embodiments, the compliance component 612 maydetermine whether a correct sample presentation component 620 is withinthe enclosure given an operator's input of a particular type of sample.For instance, exchangeable sample plates may have machine-readable codesthat are read to determine whether the sample plate matches the packagetype input by an operator into the system 600. The compliance component612 may additionally, or alternatively, determine, from a weight sensor,that a sample has been placed on the sample plate before allowing theanalysis to proceed.

In some embodiments, compliance component 612 can enable access to datarelating to determining compliance with one or more compliance rules,e.g., an operator can access information showing that the enclosure isnot showing as ‘closed,’ a system including a processor can receiveinformation indicating which probe is determined to be attached to probe602, etc.

In another aspect, compliance component 612 can enable interrogation ofthe sample to proceed, e.g., release of optical energy to the sample canbe in response to compliance component 612 determining that one or morerules of the group of compliance rules is (concurrently) satisfied. Thisaspect can reduce opportunities for release of laser energy, forexample, where the enclosure is not properly closed, where the wrongprobe is attached, where the probe is not in proper position/contactwith the sample, etc. Moreover, this aspect can act as a trigger, suchthat as the compliance rules of the group of compliance rules progresstowards contemporaneous compliance, the Raman spectrometer stands readyto interrogate the sample but cannot until the instant compliancecomponent 612 determines that there is contemporaneous satisfaction ofthe compliance rules. In a further aspect, where one or more of therules goes into non-compliance, compliance component 612 can determinethat concurrent compliance is not occurring and can stop enablingrelease of optical energy, e.g., compliance component 612 can suspend orterminate the interrogation of a sample where any condition of system600 represented by a compliance rule of the group of compliance rulestransitions from satisfied to not satisfied. As an example, the emissionof optical energy can be stopped where the enclosure is opened, wherethe probe is not in contact with the sample, etc.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of a system 700 that can facilitate indirectmonitoring of a sample to probe interface for an optical analyticalinstrument including an enclosure in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure. System 700 can include enclosure 710. Enclosure 710can enclose an interface between a sample and an analytical instrument.In some embodiments, enclosure 710 can enclose probe 702 and samplepresentation component 720. Probe 702 and sample presentation component720 can be communicatively coupled to compliance component 712.

In some embodiments, probe 702 can include an optical element to directoptical energy at a sample. In some embodiments, the optical elementthat directs optical energy at a sample can include a spherical opticalelement. A spherical optical element can be a BallProbe® that can enableRaman spectrometry via probe 702. An example benchtop analytical deviceincluding probe 702 can perform Raman spectrometry by dipping orinserting a portion of probe 702 into a sample, against a sample, etc.,and initiating an optical interrogation of said sample.

In some embodiments, sample presentation component 720 can present asample for interrogation via probe 702. In an aspect, samplepresentation component 720 can move relative to probe 702, e.g., in thex-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able to presentdifferent portions of a sample, different samples, etc., for analysisvia probe 702. A position of sample presentation component 720 and probe702 can be determined, e.g., via compliance component 712, via samplepresentation component 720, via a connected controller/computer, etc.The positon can be employed to determine that the sample isappropriately oriented for optical interrogation. In an aspect, where aBallProbe® is employed, contact Raman spectroscopy can be performed,e.g., the spherical optical element can be placed directly against thesample, or in the sample, to interrogate the sample. In contact Raman, aposition between probe 702 and the sample can be determined based onpressured applied between the probe 702 and the sample, e.g., asmeasured at the sample presentation component 720, etc., such that theBallProbe® can be brought into contact with the sample to perform theanalysis, preferably without damage to the BallProbe® from the contact.In some embodiments, sample presentation component 720 can include aliquid flow cell, a gas flow cell, a sample stage, etc. In some exampleembodiments, sample presentation component 720 can include a sampleplate. In some example embodiments, the sample presentation component720 can include a multi-well plate, e.g., a 384-, 96-, 48-, 24-, 12-,6-well plate sample container, etc. This can enable analysis of samplesin one or more wells of the multi-well plate.

Enclosure 710 can provide optical separation between an operator and theinterface between a sample and a probe 702. This can improve operatorsafety by blocking or attenuating optical emissions, e.g., scattered orreflected laser light, etc. Moreover, the enclosure can reduce ambientlight entering the interface that can cause errors in the Ramananalysis. In some embodiments, enclosure 710 can include opticalattenuation features, e.g., paint and materials that absorb ambientlight to reduce the effect of stray light reaching the detector duringcapture of a Raman spectrum.

Enclosure 710 can further enclose imaging component 730 and illuminationcomponent 740. Imaging component 730 and illumination component 740 canenable remote viewing of the interior of enclosure 710, moreparticularly a sample and the orientation of the sample and probe 702 asfacilitated by positioning of the sample presentation component 720 andprobe 702. In an aspect, imaging component 730 and illuminationcomponent 740 can illuminate and image the presentation of the sample toprobe 702 in the human visible spectrum. In some embodiments, imagingcomponent 730 and illumination component 740 can also illuminate andimage the presentation of the sample to probe 702 in spectrum outside ofthe normal range of human vision, e.g., UV, IR, etc. Moreover, imagingcomponent 730 and illumination component 740 can be communicativelycoupled to compliance component 712. This can enable compliancecomponent 712 to determine the state of imaging component 730 andillumination component 740 with regard to compliance rules for system700. The imager/illuminator can enable an operator to position a probe702 relative to a sample without needing to open the enclosure 710. Incontrast to typical conventional benchtop Raman instruments, this canenable an operator to interrogate different portions of a sample byplacing the sample in the enclosure, closing the enclosure, and theninteracting with the sample interface via imaging and remote control ofthe sample stage or plate and/or Raman probe tip. As an example, wherean inhomogeneous ore sample is placed in the enclosure, an analysis at afirst location on the ore can provide a first result. The operator canthen reposition the sample/probe to a second location via the imager tocapture a second result. While this can appear trivial, there can besignificant timesaving in enabling remote repositioning of thesample/probe rather than opening the enclosure to reposition a sampledirectly. Moreover, imaging and illumination can be done in spectralregions beyond human eyesight, e.g., IR, NIR, UV, etc., which can allowan operator to position a sample/probe relative to features that mightnot be visible to the human eye directly. As an example, a coral samplecan include biological materials that fluoresce in UV light, allowing anoperator to position the probe/sample via a UV sensitive imager and UVilluminator, then shutting off the UV illuminator to allow for Ramananalysis at the selected location on the coral.

Compliance component 712 can be communicatively coupled to one or moreof the enclosure 710, probe 702, sample presentation component 720,imaging component 730, illumination component 740, etc. Compliancecomponent 712 can receive a compliance rule related to an aspect ofsystem 700. Compliance component 712 can determine that the compliancerule has been satisfied. In an aspect, compliance component 712 candetermine concurrent compliance with a group of compliance rules relatedto aspects of system 700. As an example, compliance component 712 candetermine that the position of probe 702 relative to sample presentationcomponent 720 is concurrently compliant with an illumination mode ofillumination component 740, and that enclosure 710 is in an operableconfiguration. In response to determining that there is concurrentcompliance among the set of compliance rules, in an aspect, compliancecomponent 712 can enable release of optical energy for interrogation ofthe sample. This aspect can reduce opportunities for accidental releaseof laser energy, for example, where the enclosure is not properlyclosed, where the probe is not in proper position/contact with thesample, etc. Moreover, this aspect can act as a trigger, such that thecompliance rules of the group define when an interrogation of the samplecan begin. In another aspect, the compliance rules can benefit theanalysis by determining the presence of conditions that are beneficialto improved operation of the Raman spectrometer, e.g., by determiningthat the illumination source is off before allowing the laser to fire onthe sample, compliance component 712 removes ambient light in theenclosure that could interfere with the analysis. In a further aspect,compliance component 712 can disable the release of optical energy inresponse to determining that a rule has gone into non-compliance, e.g.,compliance component 712 can determine that there is no longerconcurrent compliance and, accordingly, can stop enabling release ofoptical energy.

FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 that facilitates direct monitoring of asample to probe interface of an optical, benchtop analytical deviceincluding an enclosure in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure. System 800 can include enclosure 810. Enclosure 810 canenclose an interface between a sample and a probe. In some embodiments,enclosure 810 can enclose probe 802, sample presentation component 820,imaging component 830, and illumination component 840. Probe 802, samplepresentation component 820, imaging component 830, and illuminationcomponent 840 can be communicatively coupled to compliance component812.

In some embodiments, probe 802 can include an optical element to directoptical energy at a sample. In some embodiments, the optical elementthat directs optical energy at a sample can include a spherical opticalelement. A spherical optical element can be a BallProbe® that can enableRaman spectrometry via probe 802. An example benchtop analytical deviceincluding probe 802 can perform Raman spectrometry by dipping orinserting a portion of probe 802 into a sample, against a sample, etc.,and initiating an optical interrogation of said sample. In an aspect,probe 802 can move relative to sample presentation 820, e.g., in thex-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able to accessdifferent portions of a sample, different samples, etc., for analysis.Moreover, in some embodiments, motion of probe 802 can be in additionto, or in lieu of, motion by sample presentation component 820.

In some embodiments, sample presentation component 820 can present asample for interrogation via probe 802. In an aspect, samplepresentation component 820 can move relative to probe 802, e.g., in thex-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able to presentdifferent portions of a sample, different samples, etc., for analysisvia probe 802. As previously noted, in some embodiments, motion ofsample presentation component 820 can be in addition to, or in lieu of,motion by probe 802. A relative position between sample presentationcomponent 820 and probe 802 can be determined, e.g., via compliancecomponent 812, via sample presentation component 820, via a connectedcontroller/computer, etc. The relative positon can be employed todetermine that the sample is appropriately oriented for opticalinterrogation. In some embodiments, sample presentation component 820can include a liquid flow cell, a gas flow cell, a sample stage, asample plate, etc. In some example embodiments, sample presentationcomponent 820 can include a multi-well plate, e.g., a 384-, 96-, 48-,24-, 12-, 6-well plate sample container, etc. This can enable analysisof samples in one or more wells of the multi-well plate.

Imaging component 830 and illumination component 840 can enable remoteviewing of the interior of enclosure 810, more particularly a sample andthe orientation of the sample and probe 802 as facilitated bypositioning of the sample presentation component 820 and probe 802. Inan aspect, imaging component 830 and/or illumination component 840 canilluminate and/or image the presentation of the sample to probe 802 inthe human visible spectrum. In some embodiments, imaging component 830and illumination component 840 can also illuminate and image thepresentation of the sample to probe 802 in spectrum outside of thenormal range of human vision, e.g., UV, IR, etc. Moreover, imagingcomponent 830 and illumination component 840 can be communicativelycoupled to compliance component 812. This can enable compliancecomponent 812 to determine the state of imaging component 830 and astate of illumination component 840 with regard to compliance rules forsystem 800.

Enclosure 810 can provide separation between the interior and exteriorof enclosure 810, such that optical energy associated with interrogationof a sample is safely contained on the interior of enclosure 810, andthat conditions external to enclosure 810 are less likely to interferewith the interrogation of the sample on the interior of enclosure 810.This can improve operator safety by blocking or attenuating opticalemissions. Moreover, the enclosure 810 can reduce ambient light enteringthe interface that can cause errors in an optical interrogation of asample. In some embodiments, enclosure 810 can include opticalattenuation features, e.g., paint, materials, and structures that absorbor attenuate ambient light.

Enclosure 810 can include viewport component 850. Viewport component 850can be communicatively coupled to compliance component 812. Viewportcomponent 850 can include an opening in enclosure 810 that can allow fordirect viewing into the interior of enclosure 810. In an aspect, theopening can include window materials to allow a direct view into theinterior of enclosure 810 while maintaining the integrity of enclosure810 with regard to other features, e.g., environmental control, venting,limiting release of laser light frequencies, etc. As an example,viewport component 850 can include a laser safe window to attenuatelaser light that can escape the sample interface. As another example,viewport component 850 can include a shutter, sliding plate, etc., thatcan physically block light transmission. In this example, the operatorcan directly view the sample, for example to position it, then canprovide an input, e.g., slide the shutter shut, press a start button,etc., that can cause the shutter to close before the analysis canproceed. Whereas compliance component 812 can enable the release of thelaser energy when the shutter is closed, the action of shuttering can,in effect, also cause the laser to fire on the sample. Viewportcomponent 850 can, in some embodiments, be employed in conjunction withimaging component 830, e.g., allowing for visualization in the visiblespectrum via viewport component 850 and in the IR, UV, etc., spectrumvia imaging component 830. In other embodiments, imaging component 830can be excluded where viewport component 850 is included.

Compliance component 812 can be communicatively coupled to one or moreof the enclosure 810, probe 802, sample presentation component 820,imaging component 830, illumination component 840, viewport component850, etc. Compliance component 812 can receive a compliance rule relatedto an aspect of system 800. Compliance component 812 can determine thatthe compliance rule has been satisfied. In an aspect, compliancecomponent 812 can determine concurrent compliance with a group ofcompliance rules related to aspects of system 800. As an example,compliance component 812 can determine that the position of probe 802relative to sample presentation component 820 is concurrently compliantwith a viewport component 850 indicating closed, and that enclosure 810is in an operable configuration. In response to determining that thereis concurrent compliance among the set of compliance rules, in anaspect, compliance component 812 can enable release of optical energyfor interrogation of the sample. This aspect can reduce opportunitiesfor accidental release of laser energy, for example, where viewportcomponent 850 is not properly closed, where the probe is not in properposition/contact with the sample, etc. Moreover, this aspect can act asa trigger, such that the compliance rules of the group define when aninterrogation of the sample can begin. In another aspect, the compliancerules can benefit the analysis by determining the presence of conditionsthat are beneficial to improved operation of the Raman spectrometer,e.g., by determining that the illumination source is off before allowingthe laser to fire on the sample, compliance component 812 assures thatambient light in the enclosure has diminished. In a further aspect,compliance component 812 can disable the release of optical energy inresponse to determining that a rule has gone into non-compliance, e.g.,compliance component 812 can determine that there is no longerconcurrent compliance and, accordingly, can stop enabling release ofoptical energy.

FIG. 9 illustrates a system 900 enabling environmental control within anenclosed benchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure. System 900 can include enclosure 910. Enclosure 910can enclose an interface between a sample and a probe 902. In someembodiments, enclosure 910 can enclose probe 902, sample presentationcomponent 920, imaging component 930, and illumination component 940.Probe 902, sample presentation component 920, imaging component 930, andillumination component 940 can be communicatively coupled to compliancecomponent 912.

In some embodiments, probe 902 can include an optical element to directoptical energy at a sample. In some embodiments, the optical elementthat directs optical energy at a sample can include a spherical opticalelement. A spherical optical element can be a BallProbe® that can enableRaman spectrometry via probe 902. An example benchtop analytical deviceincluding probe 902 can perform Raman spectrometry by dipping orinserting a portion of probe 902 into a sample, against a sample, etc.,and initiating an optical interrogation of said sample. In an aspect,probe 902 can move relative to sample presentation component 920, e.g.,in the x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able toaccess different portions of a sample, different samples, etc., foranalysis.

In some embodiments, sample presentation component 920 can present asample for interrogation via probe 902. In an aspect, samplepresentation component 920 can move relative to probe 902, e.g., in thex-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able to presentdifferent portions of a sample, different samples, etc., for analysisvia probe 902. A position of sample presentation component 920 and probe902 can be determined. The positon can be employed to determine that thesample is appropriately oriented for optical interrogation. In someembodiments, sample presentation component 920 can include a liquid flowcell, a gas flow cell, a sample stage, a sample plate, etc. In someexample embodiments, sample presentation component 920 can include amulti-well plate. This can enable analysis of samples in one or morewells of the multi-well plate.

In some embodiments, system 900 can include environmental controlcomponent 960. Environmental control component 960 can enable control ofan environment within enclosure 910. Environmental control component 960can be communicatively coupled to compliance component 912. This canfacilitate analysis of delicate samples, hazardous samples, etc. As anexample, environmental control component 960 can maintain a temperaturewithin enclosure 910, e.g., below freezing, to allow analysis of icysamples, at STP to allow analysis to be performed independent oftemperature or pressure variation, etc. As another example,environmental control component 960 can vent the enclosure to a fumehood, scrubber or other filtration, etc., to enable analysis of volatilecompounds. As a further example, environmental control component 960 cancontrol humidity, for example to ramp humidity to illustrate a rate ofabsorption of water into a sample over time by monitoring the change inwater in a sample as absorbed from the humidified air over time. In astill further example, environmental control component 960 can maintaina gaseous environment within enclosure 910, for example, an inertenvironment by filling the enclosure with helium, dry nitrogen, etc., areactive environment by allowing a fixed amount of oxygen into theenclosure for an analysis of an oxidative event, etc., a reactiveenvironment, etc. In addition, environmental component 960 can controlaspects of other components of system 900, for example, controlling ahot-plate or cold-plate feature of sample presentation component 920,control of a stir-plate motion for a stir-plate enabled samplepresentation component 920, control of illumination component 940 to,for example, UV sterilize the internal area of enclosure 910, etc.

Enclosure 910 can provide separation between the interior and exteriorof enclosure 910, such that optical energy associated with interrogationof a sample is safely contained on the interior of enclosure 910, andthat conditions external to enclosure 910 are less likely to interferewith the interrogation of the sample on the interior of enclosure 910.This can improve operator safety by blocking or attenuating opticalemissions. Moreover, the enclosure can reduce ambient light entering theinterface that can cause errors in an optical interrogation of a sample.In some embodiments, enclosure 910 can include optical attenuationfeatures, e.g., paint, materials, and structures that absorb orattenuate ambient light.

Enclosure 910 can include viewport component 950. Viewport component 950can be communicatively coupled to compliance component 912. Viewportcomponent 950 can include an opening in enclosure 910 that can allow fordirect viewing into the interior of enclosure 910. In an aspect, theopening can include window materials to allow a direct view into theinterior of enclosure 910 while maintaining the integrity of enclosure910 with regard to other features, e.g., environmental control, venting,limiting release of laser light frequencies, etc.

Enclosure 910 can further enclose imaging component 930 and illuminationcomponent 940. Imaging component 930 and illumination component 940 canenable remote viewing of the interior of enclosure 910, moreparticularly a sample and the orientation of the sample and probe 902 asfacilitated by positioning of the sample presentation component 920 andprobe 902. In an aspect, imaging component 930 and illuminationcomponent 940 can illuminate and image the presentation of the sample toprobe 902 in the human visible spectrum. In some embodiments, imagingcomponent 930 and illumination component 940 can also illuminate andimage the presentation of the sample to probe 902 in spectrum outside ofthe normal range of human vision, e.g., UV, IR, etc. Moreover, imagingcomponent 930 and illumination component 940 can be communicativelycoupled to compliance component 912. This can enable compliancecomponent 912 to determine the state of imaging component 930 andillumination component 940 with regard to compliance rules for system900. In some embodiments, illumination component 940 can further enablesterilization within enclosure 910, e.g., illumination component 940 cangenerate sufficient UV radiation to sterilize some, or all, of theinterior of enclosure 910, etc. In some embodiments, a UV sterilizationfeature can be controlled by environmental control component 960.

Compliance component 912 can be communicatively coupled to one or moreof the enclosure 910, probe 902, sample presentation component 920,imaging component 930, illumination component 940, viewport component950, environmental control component 960, etc. Compliance component 912can receive a compliance rule related to an aspect of system 900.Compliance component 912 can determine that the compliance rule has beensatisfied. In an aspect, compliance component 912 can determineconcurrent compliance with a group of compliance rules related toaspects of system 900. As an example, compliance component 912 candetermine that the position of probe 902 relative to sample presentationcomponent 920 is concurrently compliant with an illumination mode ofillumination component 940, an internal inter gas environment viaenvironmental control component 960, and that enclosure 910 is in anoperable (e.g., closed) configuration. In response to determining thatthere is concurrent compliance among the set of compliance rules, in anaspect, compliance component 912 can enable release of optical energyfor interrogation of the sample. This aspect can reduce opportunitiesfor accidental release of laser energy, for example, where the enclosureis not properly closed, where the probe is not in properposition/contact with the sample, etc. Moreover, this aspect can act asa trigger, such that the compliance rules of the group define when aninterrogation of the sample can begin. In another aspect, the compliancerules can benefit the analysis by determining the presence of conditionsthat are beneficial to improved operation of the Raman spectrometer. Asan example, by determining that the illumination source is off beforeallowing the laser to fire on the sample, compliance component 912removes ambient light in the enclosure that could interfere with theanalysis. As another example, by determining that the sample is in astable predetermined temperature, via environmental control component960, the captured spectral data can be more consistent than for datacaptured at varying temperatures. In a further aspect, compliancecomponent 912 can disable the release of optical energy in response todetermining that a rule has gone into non-compliance, e.g., compliancecomponent 912 can determine that there is no longer concurrentcompliance and, accordingly, can stop enabling release of opticalenergy.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system 1000 that facilitates translation of asample stage for an enclosed benchtop analytical device in accordancewith aspects of the subject disclosure. System 1000 can include probe1002 and sample presentation component 1020. Probe 1002 and samplepresentation component 1020 can move relative to each other, e.g., inthe x-, y-, and z-planes, rotationally, etc. This can allow a sample tobe positioned relative to probe 1002 to enable optical analysis, e.g.,Raman spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, etc., atdetermined locations of the sample. In another aspect, where samplepresentation component 1020 includes a plurality of samples, thesesamples can be positioned relative to probe 1002 to enable opticalanalysis of one or more of the plurality of samples.

In some embodiments, probe 1002 can include an optical element to directoptical energy at a sample. In some embodiments, the optical elementthat directs optical energy at a sample can include a spherical opticalelement. A spherical optical element can be a BallProbe® that can enableRaman spectrometry via probe 1002. An example benchtop analytical deviceincluding probe 1002 can perform Raman spectrometry by dipping orinserting a portion of probe 1002 into a sample, against a sample, etc.,and initiating an optical interrogation of said sample. In an aspect,probe 1002 can move relative to sample presentation component 1020,e.g., in the x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to beable to access different portions of a sample, different samples, etc.,for analysis.

In some embodiments, the probe tip can be consumable or exchangeable.This can be in lieu of, or in addition to, the probe tip beingcleanable. It will be appreciated that repeated use of a probe tipwithout cleaning can result in changes to the condition of the probe tipthat can alter captured results. As an example, contact of a probe tipwith tar can result in the tar adhering to an optical element of theprobe and preventing accurate results in following analytical runs ofthe instrument. In these situations, the tip can be cleaned orexchanged. In an aspect, this can occur in the enclosure. Moreover, somesamples can be affiliated with particular types of tips, for example,sampling of concentrated hydrofluoric acid can be better performed witha plastic lens probe tip than a glass lens probe tip. As anotherexample, a first depth of focus can be desired for a first analysis anda different second depth of focus can be desired for another analysis.The disclosed subject matter can include a cleaning component to enablecleaning of a probe tip. Moreover, the disclosed subject matter caninclude a plurality of other probe tips to allow for replacement ofconsumed probe tips, exchange of tips suited to an analysis, etc. As anexample, a probe tip dipped in tar can be moved to the cleaningcomponent and a different probe tip can be substituted. This can allowthe analysis to continue while the first tip is being cleaned. Inanother example, a damaged tip can be disposed of and a replacement tipcan be retrieved from the battery of tips. In a further example, a firsttip can be used for a first analysis and then a second tip can be usedfor a second analysis without needing to open the enclosure. Moreover,the compliance component can, in some embodiments, check the conditionof a probe tip to determine if replacement of the tip should occur,e.g., a self-diagnostic, calibration, etc.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, probe 1002 can include consumableoptical element component 1004. In an aspect, consumable optical elementcomponent 1004 can include the optical element to direct optical energyat the sample. As an example, consumable optical element component 1004can be a disposable tip with a spherical optical element that isconnected to probe 1002. As such, when consumable optical elementcomponent 1004 becomes dirty, damaged, ill suited to the determinedoptical analysis, etc., consumable optical element component 1004 can bejettisoned and a replacement consumable optical element component 1004can be connected to probe 1002 to proceed with further analysis. As anexample, disposable pipette tips can be analogous to consumable opticalelement component 1004, in that as much as a disposable pipette tip canbe used repeatedly, there are situations in which replacement of thedisposable pipette tip is desirable, e.g., to prevent crosscontamination, damage to the tip, fouling of the tip, etc. Similarly,consumable optical element component 1004 can allow continued use of anoptical element until it is determined that the consumable opticalelement component 1004 should be replaced with another consumableoptical element component 1004. In an aspect, the replacement consumableoptical element component 1004 can be the same, similar to, or differentfrom, the consumable optical element component 1004 being replaced.

Moreover, in some embodiments, consumable optical element component 1004can be constructed of nearly any material. Consumable optical elementcomponent 1004 can include a suitable polymer. Consumable opticalelement component 1004 can include other materials, such as, but notlimited to, stainless steel, gold, or other metal; borosilicate or otherglass; starches or other carbohydrates, etc.; or nearly any othermaterial suitable to a particular sample environment. Moreover,materials can be machined, sintered, cast, injection molded, 3D-printed,etc., for example to form a body, optical element seat, shroud, etc., ofconsumable optical element component 1004. As an example, consumableoptical element component 1004 can include a polymer body having asufficiently high coefficient of friction to allow it to be retained bya friction press fit on a receiving end of probe 1002. In anotheraspect, some embodiments of consumable optical element component 1004can include an optical element that can be generally spherical. Theoptical element can be separately manufactured and added to the body ofconsumable optical element component 1004, either as part of a moldingprocess, bonded with an adhesive, attached with a friction or press fit,mechanically captured, etc. In other embodiments, the spherical opticalelement can be co-formed with the body as part of a molding process,e.g., the spherical optical element can be formed, of the same or adifferent material, as the consumable optical element component 1004body, such as by injection molding; can be formed, of the same or adifferent material, as the consumable optical element component 1004 via3D printing; etc. Additionally, spherical optical elements can bemanufactured from nearly any appropriate material, including the same ordifferent materials as the body of consumable optical element component1004. Non-limiting examples of appropriate materials can include apolymer, glass, mineral, etc., depending on the optical propertiessuited to a given scenario. As noted herein above, ‘spherical’ opticalelement, or similar terms, can refer to an optical element, e.g., alens, etc., that has a spherical, or nearly spherical, geometry.Moreover, the term ‘spherical optical element,’ as used herein, can alsoinclude any optical element that conducts light via a portion of anoptical element that includes a curved surface approximating at least aportion of a sphere. As an example, an optical element including twoindividual generally hemispherical portions can also be considered aspherical element within the scope of the instant disclosure.

In some embodiments, sample presentation component 1020 can present asample for interrogation via probe 1002. In an aspect, samplepresentation component 1020 can move relative to probe 1002, e.g., inthe x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able topresent different portions of a sample, different samples, etc., foranalysis via probe 1002. A position of sample presentation component1020 and probe 1002 can be determined. The positon can be employed todetermine that the sample is appropriately oriented for opticalinterrogation. In some embodiments, sample presentation component 1020can include a liquid flow cell, a gas flow cell, a sample stage, asample plate, etc. In some example embodiments, sample presentationcomponent 1020 can include a multi-well plate. This can enable analysisof samples in one or more wells of the multi-well plate.

Movement of sample presentation component 1020 can be enabled by stagemotion component 1022. In an aspect, stage motion component 1022 caninclude, for example, servo motors, piezo-electric actuators, etc.,allowing movement of sample placement component 1026. Sample placementcomponent 1026 can facilitate positioning of a sample in a location thatcan be treated as static in regard to a reference point of samplepresentation component 1020, such that motion of sample presentationcomponent 1020 can be correlated with motion of the sample positioned bysample placement component 1026. In an aspect, sample placementcomponent 1026 can include a multi-well plate, a flow cell for a gasand/or liquid, mechanical gripper assembly, an adhesive, a suctiongripper assembly, etc., allowing for placement of a sample that is in atleast one of a solid, liquid, or gas phase, such that samplepresentation component 1020 can present the sample to probe 1002 foroptical analysis. As an example, a chunk of rock can be adhered to asample stage, e.g., sample placement component 1026, via a piece ofdouble sided tape, allowing stage motion component 1022 to move the rockinto position relative to the position/movement of probe 1002 to enablea spherical optic of consumable optical element 1004 to pass laser lightonto a desired portion of the rock for Raman analysis thereof. Moreover,sample presentation component 1020 can include stage interactioncomponent 1024 that can determine interaction between the probe 1002 andthe sample. In an aspect, stage interaction component 1024 can determinewhen probe 1002 comes into contact with a sample, is located at adetermined distance into a sample, e.g., a liquid or gas sample intowhich probe 1002 is dipped, etc., is at a determined angle to thesample, etc. As an example, where a BallProbe® equipped consumableoptical element component 1004 is used for contact Raman analysis, theBallProbe® tip can be brought into physical contact with the sample.Stage interaction component 1024 can determine when contact hasoccurred. This determined contact can be employed by a compliancecomponent, e.g., 612, 712, 812, 912, etc., to aid in determiningconcurrent satisfaction of compliance rules. Moreover, this determinedcontact can be employed to stop additional motion between probe 1002 andsample presentation component 1020 that could damage the BallProbe®optical element, e.g., crushing it via additional pressure, scratchingit by lateral motion while the BallProbe® is in contact with a solidsample, etc. As an example, a spring-biased pressure sensor candetermine contact has been made without exceeding the bias pressureexerted by the bias spring. As another example, an ultrasonic proximitysensor can be employed to determine a distance between the samplepresentation component 1020 and probe 1002, which can be used with amodel to determine a distance of the probe tip to/into the sample.Numerous other examples are readily appreciated by one of skill in theart and all such examples are within the scope of the present disclosuredespite not being explicitly recited for the sake of clarity andbrevity.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system 1100 that facilitates cleaning orreplacement of an exchangeable optical element component of a probe foran enclosed benchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure. System 1100 can include probe 1102 and samplepresentation component 1120. Probe 1102 and sample presentationcomponent 1120 can move relative to each other, e.g., in the x-, y-, andz-planes, rotationally, etc. This can allow a sample to be positionedrelative to probe 1102 to enable optical analysis at determinedlocations of the sample. In another aspect, where sample presentationcomponent 1120 includes a plurality of samples, these samples can bepositioned relative to probe 1102 to enable optical analysis of one ormore of the plurality of samples.

In some embodiments, probe 1102 can include an optical element to directoptical energy at a sample. In some embodiments, the optical elementthat directs optical energy at a sample can include a spherical opticalelement. A spherical optical element can be a BallProbe® that can enableRaman spectrometry via probe 1102. An example benchtop analytical deviceincluding probe 1102 can perform Raman spectrometry by dipping orinserting a portion of probe 1102 into a sample, against a sample, etc.,and initiating an optical interrogation of said sample. In an aspect,probe 1102 can move relative to sample presentation 1120, e.g., in thex-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able to accessdifferent portions of a sample, different samples, etc., for analysis.

In some embodiments, probe 1102 can include exchangeable optical elementcomponent 1104. In an aspect, exchangeable optical element component1104 can include the optical element to direct optical energy at thesample. As an example, exchangeable optical element component 1104 canbe an exchangeable tip with a spherical optical element that isconnected to probe 1102. As such, when exchangeable optical elementcomponent 1104 becomes dirty, damaged, ill suited to the determinedoptical analysis, etc., a first exchangeable optical element component1104 can be removed and a second exchangeable optical element component1104 can be attached to probe 1102 to proceed with further analysis.

In an aspect, this can enable different exchangeable optical elementcomponents to be rotated into use based on the characteristics of theseveral exchangeable optical element components. As an example, a firstexchangeable optical element component can have a sapphire lens and asecond exchangeable optical element component can have a plastic lens.The second exchangeable optical element component can be used inconditions that do not require the sapphire lens of the firstexchangeable optical element component, e.g., because damage to theplastic lens is less costly than to the sapphire lens), however, wherean analysis is determined to be better suited to use of the sapphirelens, the second exchangeable optical element component can be exchangedfor the first exchangeable optical element component. After the analysiswith the sapphire lens is performed, the first exchangeable opticalelement component can be re-exchanged for the second exchangeableoptical element component.

Moreover, in some embodiments, system 1100 can include exchangeableoptical element component storage 1106 (e.g., a container). Exchangeableoptical element component storage 1106 can store exchangeable opticalelement component(s) that can be exchanged for exchangeable opticalelement component 1104. In an aspect, exchangeable optical elementcomponent storage 1106 can store a supply of disposable or consumableoptical element components. In another aspect, exchangeable opticalelement component storage 1106 can store other exchangeable opticalelement components. As an example, a modern computer numerical control(CNC) milling machine can be equipped with a turret system allowingrapid and automated exchange of milling machining tools, similarly,exchangeable optical element component storage 1106 can allow for therapid and automated exchange of exchangeable optical element componentswithin an enclosure, e.g., 110, 310, 610-910, etc.

In some embodiments, probe 1102 can employ optical element cleaningcomponent 1108 to clean optical elements of probe 1102. In someembodiments, optical element cleaning component 1108 can validate thatthe optical element of probe 1102 is clean, e.g., via calibration,intensity correction, flat-fielding techniques, wavelength registrationtechniques, etc. As an example, optical element cleaning component 1108can sonicate a probe tip dipped in a solvent between analytical runswhere Raman spectra is being taken on oil samples, which can rinse theoil from the probe tip, e.g., the optical element in contact with theoil can be cleaned, to allow an exchangeable optical element component1104 to be reused. The cleanliness of the optical element can beverified before reuse. Where the cleanliness of the optical elementfails, the optical element can be re-cleaned and validated or, in someembodiments, exchanged for a replacement exchangeable optical elementcomponent 1104.

In some embodiments, exchangeable optical element component 1104 can beconstructed of nearly any material. Exchangeable optical elementcomponent 1104 can include a suitable polymer. Exchangeable opticalelement component 1104 can include other materials, such as, but notlimited to, stainless steel, gold, or other metal; borosilicate or otherglass; starches or other carbohydrates, etc.; or nearly any othermaterial suitable to a particular sample environment. Moreover,materials can be machined, sintered, cast, injection molded, 3D-printed,etc., for example to form a body, optical element seat, shroud, etc., ofexchangeable optical element component 1104. In another aspect, someembodiments of exchangeable optical element component 1104 can includean optical element that can be generally spherical. Additionally,spherical optical elements can be manufactured from nearly anyappropriate material, including the same or different materials as thebody of exchangeable optical element component 1104. As noted hereinabove, spherical optical element, or similar terms, can refer to anoptical element, e.g., a lens, etc., that has a spherical, or nearlyspherical, geometry. Moreover, the term spherical optical element, asused herein, can also include any optical element that conducts lightvia a portion of an optical element that includes a curved surfaceapproximating at least a portion of a sphere.

In some embodiments, sample presentation component 1120 can present asample for interrogation via probe 1102. In an aspect, samplepresentation component 1120 can move relative to probe 1102, e.g., inthe x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotationally, etc., so as to be able topresent different portions of a sample, different samples, etc., foranalysis via probe 1102. A position of sample presentation component1120 and probe 1102 can be determined. The positon can be employed todetermine that the sample is appropriately oriented for opticalinterrogation. In some embodiments, sample presentation component 1120can include a liquid flow cell, a gas flow cell, a sample stage, asample plate, etc. In some example embodiments, sample presentationcomponent 1120 can include a multi-well plate. This can enable analysisof samples in one or more wells of the multi-well plate.

Movement of sample presentation component 1120 can be enabled by stagemotion comp 1122. In an aspect, stage motion comp 1122 can allowingmovement of sample placement component 1126. Sample placement component1126 can facilitate positioning of a sample in a location that can betreated as static in regard to a reference point of sample presentationcomponent 1120, such that motion of sample presentation component 1120can be correlated with motion of the sample positioned by sampleplacement component 1126.

Moreover, sample presentation component 1120 can include stageinteraction component 1124 that can determine interaction between theprobe 1102 and the sample. In an aspect, stage interaction component1124 can determine when probe 1102 comes into contact with a sample, islocated at a determined distance into a sample, e.g., a liquid or gassample into which probe 1102 is dipped, etc., is at a determined angleto the sample, etc. This determined interaction can be employed by acompliance component, e.g., 612, 712, 812, 912, etc., to aid indetermining concurrent satisfaction of compliance rules. Moreover, thisdetermined interaction can be employed to stop additional motion betweenprobe 1102 and sample presentation component 1120.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example system 1200 including an enclosure 1210and a computer 1250 (with a display) coupled thereto for providing auser interface 1260 for operational control of the system 1200 andviewing analysis results in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure. As described herein, the enclosure 1210 may include at leasta probe 1202, a sample presentation component 1220, and a compliancecomponent 1212 for performing optical spectroscopy of a sample withinthe enclosure.

An operator may interact with the computer 1250 coupled (via wired orwireless communication) to the enclosure 1210 using one or more inputdevices (e.g., mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, etc.), and the display ofthe computer 1250 may provide a user interface 1260, as shown in FIG.12. An operator may power on the system 1200, place a sample within theenclosure 1210 so that the sample and the probe 1202 are positioned toallow the probe 1202 to optically interrogate the sample during opticalspectroscopy. The operator may close the lid of the enclosure 1210, andmay start interacting with the user interface 1260. The compliance 1212component may ensure that one or more compliance rules are satisfied(e.g., the enclosure 1210 is closed) before optical spectroscopy can beperformed within the enclosure 1210.

The user interface 1260 may indicate, at 1261, that a particular user islogged into a user account maintained by the system 1200. This may beaccomplished by any suitable technique, such as the operator providingcredentials (e.g., a username and a password), biometric (e.g.,fingerprint, iris scan, voice recognition, etc.) identification, or anyother suitable technique to identify the operator. By associating theoperator/user with a particular analysis, statistics can be collected onindividual operators to determine if they are compliant with proceduresand/or protocols, and the like. Furthermore, a compliance rule (used bythe compliance component) may relate to determining that an operator ofthe benchtop analytical device has logged into a user account.Accordingly, the compliance component may not enable emission of opticalenergy via the probe 1202 unless and until this rule is satisfied (e.g.,unless and until an operator logs into a user account).

The user interface 1260 may present a first section 1262 for theoperator to select one of multiple available types of samples. In theexample of FIG. 12, the sample types are in the form of multipleavailable types of medications (or pharmaceuticals), but the system 1200can be configured to analyze any type of sample and is not limited tomedications. For instance, the system 1200 may maintain a database ofmultiple types of food, or any other type of sample. In any case, theexample of FIG. 12 shows three medications, but it is to be appreciatedthat the system 1200 may maintain a database of any suitable number ofdifferent sample types (e.g., types of medications) that can be selectedby the operator for purposes of verifying the type of sample and/or theconcentration of the sample. In an example, the operator may selectmedication 1 in the select medication section 1262, which may correspondto a drug such as Cefazolin, which is an antibiotic.

The user interface 1260 may additionally, or subsequent to selection ofa sample type (e.g., a type of medication), present a second section1264 for the operator to select an overfill amount of the sample (e.g.,medication), such as an amount of overfill in milliliters (ml). In anexample, the operator may select an overfill of 10 ml. Depending on thetype of sample analyzed, the overfill section 1264 may be omitted if itis not applicable to the type or category of sample.

The user interface 1260 may additionally, or subsequent to selection ofa medication and an overfill amount, present a third section 1266 forthe operator to select a concentration of the sample (e.g., medication),such as a concentration in micrograms (mcg) per ml, or milligrams (mg)per ml. In an example, the operator may select a concentration of 100mg/ml. In some embodiments, the selection of a sample type in the firstsection 1262 may cause other parameters in the other sections toauto-populate with known values for the selected sample type. Forexample, the database of sample types may include a single predefinedconcentration for a particular sample type (e.g., fentanyl). In thisexample, the operator may select the desired sample type in the firstsection 1262, and the remaining parameter(s) (e.g., concentration) mayauto-populate with known values, such as a single predefinedconcentration specified in the database for that sample type. This cansimplify the user interface for the operator by allowing the operator toperform optical spectroscopy on a sample with merely a selection of oneor two buttons in the user interface 1260.

With a sample (e.g., medication), an overfill amount, and aconcentration selected, the operator may select a verify button 1268(e.g., or a start button implemented as a soft button on the userinterface 1260). Upon selection of the verify button 1268, opticalspectroscopy of the sample may be performed via the probe 1202 withinthe enclosure 1210, and one or more results of the analysis may bepresented on in a results section 1270 of the user interface 1260. Theresults section 1270 may indicate whether the type of sample (such as atype of medication) is verified via optical spectroscopy (e.g., bydetermining that the obtained Raman spectra matches a known Ramanspectra of the type of sample), and/or whether the concentration of thesample is verified via optical spectroscopy (e.g., using an algorithmthat is a function of the intensity of the obtained Raman spectra). Inthe running example, the system 1200 has verified that the sample placedwithin the enclosure 1210 is indeed the medication selected by theoperator (e.g., Medication 1: Cefazolin), and is indeed at theconcentration selected by the operator (e.g., 100 mg/ml). If the samplewas not verified to be the type of sample selected by the operator, theresults section 1270 may indicate as much by a different output, such as“not verified.” Although the various sections 1262, 1264, 1266, 1270 areshown in a single user interface 1260, it is to be appreciated thatthese sections may be presented in a series of sequential userinterfaces.

If the operator would like to verify additional samples of the sametype, overfill, and concentration selected for the first sample, thesystem 1200 can maintain the selections of the operator and the operatormay simply open the lid of the enclosure 1210, replace thepreviously-analyzed sample with another sample that is suspected to bethe same type of sample (in the same amount of overfill and the sameconcentration), close the lid of the enclosure 1210, and select theverify button 1268 for the next sample. This allows an operator toperform batch processing to verify multiple samples (or concentrationsthereof) in a serial manner without additional user input steps toselect the parameters of the analysis. Additionally, or alternatively,if the operator would like to analyze a different type of sample (e.g.,a different medication), the operator can select a new medication button1272 on the user interface 1260, where after the operator may select thetype of medication, the overfill amount, and the concentration for thenew sample.

An illustrative application for the systems described herein (e.g., thesystem 1200) is in the field of medicine, where the operator may be apharmacy technician who is filling a prescription for a patient. Theprescription indicates that a 60 ml syringe of hydromorphone mixed insaline is to be filled for a patient. The pharmacy technician can fillthe syringe with the prescribed mixture, place the syringe in theenclosure 1210, select the sample type as “hydromorphone,” (and possiblyselect an overfill and concentration, if applicable), and then selectthe verify button 1268 to verify that the sample in the syringe isindeed hydromorphone and/or that the concentration of the sample is aconcentration specified by the operator. Many possible end uses for sucha system are contemplated. For example, the system 1200 can be used tocatch theft of medication, such as by testing samples of medication atany stage of their lifetime as the medication moves throughout ahospital or pharmacy setting. This, in turn, may help ensure thatpatients are getting a correct medication and a correct dosage ofmedication.

Other applications, including those in other industries, are alsocontemplated. For example, a verification approach similar to thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 12 can be used in the food industry,where a restaurant, for example, wants to determine if a food product isof a particular type and/or concentration for quality purposes to ensurethat their inventory is correct. As another example, the sampleverification approach described herein can be used to confirm controlconditions in diagnostic assays. The identity and/or concentration ofcounterfeit goods can also be verified using the sample verificationapproach described herein. Examples of counterfeited goods include,without limitation, oils (e.g., food, petroleum, etc.), rubber (e.g.,for tires), antiquities, arms and weaponry, and the like. In fact,optical spectroscopy can be used to verify the type and/or concentrationof many different types of samples pertaining to various goods, such as,without limitation, ball bearings, beverages, biological samples, blood,cannabis products, ceramics, clothing, crops, curing agents,environmental pollutants, explosives, feed products, food, herbicides,jewelries, liquids, liquors, living matter, lotions, luxury goods,medicines, metals, nutritional supplements, oils, perfumes, personalcare products, pesticides, petroleum, petroleum-derived liquids,pharmaceuticals, plastics, polyisocyanates, precious metal objects,reagents, rubbers, textiles, thermoplastic elastomers, thermosetpolymers, etc.

It is to be appreciated that the systems described herein (e.g., thesystem 1200) may be used in other ways, such as diagnostics, where theresults section 1270 may present additional and/or different results inresponse to optical spectroscopy of a sample within the enclosure 1210.For instance, the operator may not be required to select a sample type(e.g., a medication) beforehand, and, instead, may simply initiate ananalysis (e.g., optical spectroscopy) of an unknown sample. In thisexample, the results section 1270 may specify what type of sample wasdetected using optical spectroscopy, and the concentration of thatsample. This configuration may utilize a database of Raman spectra tocompare the analysis results against to identify a type of sample and aconcentration of the sample. In some cases, the results section 1270 maypresent a Raman spectra obtained from performing Raman spectroscopy onthe sample, the Raman spectra being a “fingerprint” or “signature” of aparticular material or sample type.

In view of the example system(s) described above, example process(s)that can be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject mattercan be better appreciated with reference to flowcharts in FIG. 13-FIG.17. For purposes of simplicity of explanation, example processesdisclosed herein are presented and described as a series of acts;however, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subjectmatter is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown anddescribed herein. For example, one or more example processes disclosedherein could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelatedstates or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, interactiondiagram(s) may represent processes in accordance with the disclosedsubject matter when disparate entities enact disparate portions of theprocesses. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be required toimplement a described example process in accordance with the subjectspecification. Further yet, two or more of the disclosed exampleprocesses can be implemented in combination with each other, toaccomplish one or more aspects herein described. It should be furtherappreciated that the example processes disclosed throughout the subjectspecification are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture(e.g., a computer-readable medium) to allow transporting andtransferring such processes to computers for execution, and thusimplementation, by a processor or for storage in a memory.

FIG. 13 illustrates a process 1300 facilitating release of opticalinterrogation energy based on satisfaction of a rule for an enclosedbenchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure. At 1310, process 1300 can include enabling emission ofoptical energy. The enabling can be in response to determining that arule is satisfied, the rule relating to an operable configuration of theenclosure.

In an aspect, a Raman spectrometer can interrogate a sample by emittingoptical energy, into or onto a sample. Optical energy can be returnedfrom the sample that is characteristic of the molecular composition ofthe sample. A rule related to an operable configuration of the enclosurecan be determined to be satisfied when the lid is in a closed positionrelative to the body of the enclosure. In an aspect, this can allowdesignation of procedures, tolerances, and safety measures to beautomatically monitored before allowing the analysis to proceed. As anexample, a contact sensor can verify that an enclosure is closed beforeallowing a release of laser light to interrogate a sample, which canprevent the laser emission while the enclosure is not closed to protectan operator.

At 1320, process 1300 can include disabling emission of the opticalenergy in response to determining a lack of satisfaction of the rule. Inan aspect, the optical energy can be stopped or shunted in response todetermining that a rule is no longer satisfied. A compliance component,e.g., 612, 712, 812, 912, etc., can receive input from various sensors,monitors, user inputs, etc., to coordinate a release of a hold onoptical energy to begin an analysis or halt an ongoing analysis.

As an example, an operator can place a sample in an enclosure having acontact sensor to detect closure of the lid of the enclosure. Theexample operator can then place a sample (e.g., a packaged sample) on orin the sample presentation component (e.g., on a sample plate), and theoperator can close the lid of the enclosure to start the analysis. Inthis example, the compliance component can determine that the enclosureis properly closed before the analysis is allowed to proceed. Further,when a rule transitions from “in compliance” to “out of compliance”(e.g., the enclosure is opened), the interrogation beam can be shut offat block 1320. This can serve to protect the operator of the benchtopanalytical device, protect the optical sensor of the instrument, ensuredata quality, etc. FIG. 14 illustrates a process 1400 facilitatingrelease of optical interrogation energy based on satisfaction of rulesfor an enclosed benchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects ofthe subject disclosure. At 1410, process 1400 can include enablingemission of optical energy. The enabling can be in response todetermining concurrent satisfaction of rules including a first rule. Thefirst rule can be related to determining contact between an opticalelement of a Raman spectroscopy probe and a sample. The first rule canbe related to determining that the enclosure is closed.

In an aspect, a Raman spectrometer can interrogate a sample by emittingoptical energy, into or onto a sample. Optical energy can be returnedfrom the sample that is characteristic of the molecular composition ofthe sample. A first rule related to the contact can be determined to besatisfied when a probe, e.g., probe 102, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802,902, 1002, 1102, 1202, etc., is in contact with a sample, e.g., ispressed against a solid sample, inserted into a liquid or gas sample,etc. Where this first rule is part of a group of rules, and the group ofrules is determined to be concurrently satisfied, the release of opticalenergy for interrogation of a sample can be enabled. A first rulerelated to a closed state of the enclosure can be determined to besatisfied when the lid is in a closed position relative to the body ofthe enclosure. In an aspect, this can allow designation of procedures,tolerances, and safety measures to be automatically monitored beforeallowing the analysis to proceed. As an example, a contact sensor canverify that an enclosure is closed before allowing a release of laserlight to interrogate a sample, which can prevent the laser emissionwhile the enclosure is not closed to protect an operator. Additionalrules of the group of rules can be determined to be concurrentlysatisfied at 1410. For example, a rule relating to an operator beinglogged into a user account can be monitored to determine if the rule issatisfied concurrently with the first rule. As another example, acontact sensor can verify that an enclosure is closed before allowingvia the probe to interrogate a sample. As another example, a lightsensor can be monitored to ensure the sample is in darkness before theanalysis can proceed, which can reduce artifacts in the spectral resultsthat can occur when ambient light is present. As a further example, atemperature within the enclosure can be monitored (e.g., using atemperature sensor) to allow a sample to be at a known state before theanalysis is enabled to proceed, which can reduce variation betweenanalytical runs that can result from operators opening and closing anenclosure between runs. A compliance component can receive input fromvarious sensors, monitors, user inputs, etc., to coordinate a release ofa hold on an analysis, e.g., the analysis can occur in response to theconcurrent satisfaction of one or more compliance rules. As anotherexample, an operator can place a sample in an enclosure having animaging system and a sample contact sensor. The example operator canthen position a Raman probe at an area of interest on the sample. Theimaging system can then be switched to a non-illumination mode to reducelight pollution and the example Raman probe can be advanced against thesample. In this example, the compliance component can determine that theenclosure is properly closed, that concurrently the illumination sourceis off, and can wait for the contact sensor to concurrently indicatethat the Raman probe has contacted the sample. Upon the sample beingcontacted by the Raman probe, the contact sensor can indicate thatcontact has been made, which can satisfy a contact rule concurrentlywith the lights being off and the enclosure being closed, and can resultin the analysis being allowed to proceed, e.g., the concurrentsatisfaction of the conditions can start the analysis. This can allow anoperator to simply place the sample, close the door, position the samplevia a camera, and move the probe to contact the sample, whereupon theanalysis is triggered and the operator can begin the subsequentanalysis. Moreover, expanding the prior example, an array of samples,e.g., placed on a 96-well plate, etc., can be placed in embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, the enclosure can be closed, the operatorcan move, with the help of an internal video camera and illuminator, theprobe to the first of the 96 wells in the plate and press a startbutton. In response, the example system can shut off the illuminator andbegin a stage translation process to bring the probe into contact witheach well of the 96-well plate sequentially. The example compliancecomponent can verify that the enclosure is closed, that the illuminatoris off, and can enable the Raman interrogation laser only when the probeis determined to be in contact with the sample plate, e.g., at each wellas the translation process cycles the probe contact with each well,concurrent with the illuminator being off and the enclosure beingclosed.

At 1420, process 1400 can include disabling emission of the opticalenergy in response to determining a lack of concurrent satisfaction ofthe rules. In an aspect, the optical energy can be stopped or shunted inresponse to determining that a rule of the rules is no longer satisfied.Between 1410 and 1420, this can result in releasing optical energy onlywhen the rules are simultaneously satisfied. A compliance component,e.g., 612, 712, 812, 912, etc., can receive input from various sensors,monitors, user inputs, etc., to coordinate a release of a hold onoptical energy to begin an analysis, e.g., the analysis can occur inresponse to the concurrent satisfaction of one or more compliance rules.

As an example, an operator can place a sample in an enclosure having animaging system and a sample contact sensor. The example operator canthen position a Raman probe at an area of interest on the sample. Theimaging system can then be switched to a non-illumination mode to reducelight pollution and the example Raman probe can be advanced against thesample. In this example, the compliance component can determine that theenclosure is properly closed, that concurrently the illumination sourceis off, and can wait for the contact sensor to indicate concurrentlythat the Raman probe has contacted the sample. Upon the sample beingcontacted by the Raman probe, the contact sensor can indicate thatcontact has been made, which can satisfy a contact rule concurrentlywith the lights being off, and the enclosure being closed, and canresult in the analysis being allowed to proceed, e.g., the concurrentsatisfaction of the conditions can start the analysis. This can allow anoperator to simply place the sample, close the door, position the samplevia a camera, and move the probe to contact the sample, whereupon theanalysis is triggered and the operator can begin the subsequentanalysis. Further, when the probe is retracted from the sample, theenclosure is opened, or the illumination source is reactivated, theinterrogation beam can be shut off. This can serve to protect theoperator of the instrument, protect the optical sensor of theinstrument, ensure data quality, etc. Moreover, an array of samples,e.g., placed on a 96-well plate, etc., can be placed in embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, the enclosure can be closed, the operatorcan move, with the help of an internal video camera and illuminator, theprobe to the first of the 96 wells in the plate and press a startbutton. In response, the example system can shut off the illuminator andbegin a stage translation process to bring the probe into contact witheach well of the 96-well plate sequentially. The example compliancecomponent can verify that the enclosure is closed, that the illuminatoris off, and can enable the Raman interrogation laser only when the probeis determined to be in contact with the sample plate, e.g., at each wellas the translation process cycles the probe contact with each well,concurrent with the illuminator being off and the enclosure beingclosed. As such, should the enclosure be opened, the compliancecomponent can prevent the release of laser energy.

At 1430, process 1400 can include indicating a first value correspondingto a first state of an enclosure condition corresponding to the firstrule. At this point process 1400 can end. This can allow access to thefirst value by other systems/components, operators, etc. As an example,where the first rule relates to determining contact between the opticalelement of a Raman probe and the sample, the first value can be adistance between the probe and the sample, between the probe and thesample stage, a proximity metric of the probe to the sample, a depth ofinsertion of the probe into a flow cell, an amount of pressure measuredbetween the probe and the sample stage, etc. The first value can guideadditional actions, e.g., where the pressure between the probe and thesample plate transitions a threshold value, the distance between theprobe and sample plate can be increased to prevent damage to the opticalelement of the probe, etc.

In some embodiments, acquisition of optical spectrums can be facilitatedby process 1400. In some embodiments, a wireless link between a mobiledevice or other user equipment and the enclosed benchtop Ramanspectrometer can enable control of aspects of the enclosed benchtopRaman spectrometer, for example, allowing modification, creation,deletion, etc., of rules and/or groups of rules. In another embodiment,a wired link between a user equipment and the enclosed benchtop Ramanspectrometer can similarly enable control of aspects of the enclosedbenchtop Raman spectrometer.

FIG. 15 illustrates a process 1500 enabling emission of firstinterrogating optical energy based on an indication of contact between aprobe and a sample and a concurrent indication of sufficientlyattenuated non-interrogation optical energy in accordance with aspectsof the subject disclosure. At 1510, process 1500 can include enablingemission of optical energy. The enabling can be in response todetermining concurrent satisfaction of rules including a first rule anda second rule. The first rule can be related to determining contactbetween an optical element of a Raman spectroscopy probe and a sample.The second rule can be related to second optical energy proximate to theinterface between the optical element and the sample.

A first rule related to the contact can be determined to be satisfiedwhen a probe, e.g., probe 102, 302, 420, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002,1102, 1202, etc., is in contact with a sample, e.g., is pressed againsta solid sample, inserted into a liquid or gas sample, etc. The firstrule can be satisfied when the probe is in contact with the sample to betested. A second rule can relate to attenuation of ambient light in theinterior of the enclosure. In an aspect, for example where the interiorof the enclosure is monitored by an imaging device using an illuminator,e.g., 730/740, 830/840, 930/940, etc., it can be desirable to have theilluminator not emitting light that can be detected at the detector ofthe Raman spectrometer during interrogation of a sample. As such, thesecond rule can validate that the illuminator is off, that ambient lightis below a threshold level, etc., within the enclosure, and moreparticularly at the sample-probe interface where stray light couldaffect spectroscopy results. Where this first rule is part of a group ofrules, the second rule is part of the group of rules, and the group ofrules is determined to be concurrently satisfied, the release of opticalenergy for interrogation of a sample can be enabled.

At 1520, process 1500 can include disabling emission of the opticalenergy in response to determining a lack of concurrent satisfaction ofthe rules. In an aspect, the optical energy can be stopped or shunted inresponse to determining that a rule, e.g., the first rule, the secondrule, etc., of the rules is not being concurrently satisfied. This canresult in releasing optical energy if, and only if, the group of rulesare simultaneously satisfied. A compliance component, e.g., 612, 712,812, 912, etc., can receive input from various sensors, monitors, userinputs, etc., to coordinate a release of a hold on optical energy tobegin an analysis, e.g., the analysis can occur in response to theconcurrent satisfaction of one or more compliance rules.

At 1530, process 1500 can include indicating a first value correspondingto a first state of a first enclosure condition corresponding to thefirst rule. This can allow access to the first value by othersystems/components, operators, etc. As an example, where the first rulerelates to determining contact between the optical element of a Ramanprobe and the sample, the first value can be a distance between theprobe and the sample, between the probe and the sample stage, aproximity metric of the probe to the sample, a depth of insertion of theprobe into a flow cell, an amount of pressure measured between the probeand the sample stage, etc. The first value can guide additional actions,e.g., where the pressure between the probe and the sample platetransitions a threshold value, the distance between the probe and sampleplate can be increased to prevent damage to the optical element of theprobe, etc.

At 1540, process 1500 can include indicating a second valuecorresponding to a second state of a second enclosure conditioncorresponding to the second rule. At this point process 1500 can end.This can allow access to the second value by other systems/components,operators, etc. As an example, where the second rule relates todetermining ambient optical energy within the enclosure, the secondvalue can be a measure of optical energy at a time, a time valueindicating a rate of optical energy attenuation, etc. The second valuecan guide additional actions, e.g., where UV light causes a sample tofluoresce to facilitate placement of the probe relative to the sample,the fluorescence can decrease at a measurable rate, which measurablerate can be reflected in the second value. As such, this example secondvalue can be employed, for example, by a timing delay component, e.g.,included in the compliance component, etc., to delay onset of an opticalanalysis to allow for the fluorescence to drop below a threshold levelto improve the results of the acquired spectral information.

FIG. 16 illustrates a process 1600 that facilitating sequential opticalinterrogation of samples at different sample locations within anenclosed benchtop analytical device in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure. At 1610, process 1600 can include enabling emissionof first optical energy. The enabling can be in response to determiningconcurrent satisfaction of first rules including determining contactbetween an optical element of a Raman spectroscopy probe and a sample ata first location. Contact can be determined to be satisfied when aprobe, e.g., probe 102, 302, 420, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102,1202, etc., is in contact with a sample, e.g., is pressed against asolid sample, inserted into a liquid or gas sample, etc.

At 1620, process 1600 can include disabling emission of the opticalenergy in response to determining a lack of concurrent satisfaction ofthe first rules. In an aspect, the optical energy can be stopped orshunted in response to determining that the first rules are not beingconcurrently satisfied. This can result in releasing optical energy if,and only if, the first rules are simultaneously satisfied. A compliancecomponent, e.g., 612, 712, 812, 912, etc., can receive input fromvarious sensors, monitors, user inputs, etc., to coordinate a release ofa hold on optical energy to begin an analysis, e.g., the analysis canoccur in response to the concurrent satisfaction of one or morecompliance rules of the first rules.

At 1630, process 1600 can include indicating a change in positionbetween the optical element of the Raman spectroscopy probe and thefirst location. In an aspect, the change in position can occursubsequent to the probe not being in contact with a solid sample toprevent damage to the probe, although it will be noted that where theprobe is in a gas or liquid, the change in position can occur withoutremoving the probe form contact with the sample where the gas or liquidis unlikely to damage the probe. In some embodiments, the change inposition can correlate to distances between wells included in amulti-well plate, e.g., a 384-, 96-, 48-, 24-, 12-, 6-well plate samplecontainer, etc. This can enable analysis of samples in one or more wellsof the multi-well plate.

At 1640, process 1600 can include determining that a clean probe rulehas been satisfied. The clean probe rule can relate to cleaning of theoptical element of the Raman spectroscopy probe between contacts with asample(s), e.g., the optical element can be determined to be opticallytransparent in Raman relevant regions to satisfy the clean probe rule.In some embodiments, where cleaning of the probe fails, the probe can beexchanged for a new or otherwise clean probe. This new or other cleanprobe can satisfy the clean probe rule.

At 1650, process 1600 can include enabling emission of second opticalenergy. The enabling can be in response to determining concurrentsatisfaction of second rules including determining contact between anoptical element of a Raman spectroscopy probe and a sample at a secondlocation. At this point process 1600 can end. In an aspect, the secondcapture of a second Raman spectrum at a second location of a sample, oranother sample, can occur automatically in response to the second rulesbeing determined to be concurrently satisfied. In an example, where aprobe is in contact with a sample in a first well of a plate, a firstspectrum can be captured where the first rules are concurrentlysatisfied. Upon retracting the probe from the first well, the firstrules can fail to be satisfied and the Raman laser can correspondinglybe shunted. The plate can be moved and the probe can be cleaned. Theprobe can then be brought into contact with a sample in a second well ofthe plate in a manner that concurrently satisfies second rules, wherebyshunting of the laser is ended and a second Raman spectrum can becaptured.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example process 1700 enabling verification of atype of sample and/or a concentration of the sample by performingoptical spectroscopy of the sample within an enclosure of a benchtopanalytical device in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

At 1710, a computer coupled to a benchtop analytical device may receive,via a user interface, a selection of (i) a type of sample among multipleavailable types of samples or (ii) a concentration of the type ofsample. For example, the computer may maintain a database of availabletypes of samples (e.g., types of medication) for selection, and anoperator may select one of those types of samples in order to verify asample in the operator's possession is the type of sample, and/or toverify that the sample in the operator's possession is of a particularconcentration. FIG. 12 shows an example user interface 1260 for thispurpose.

At 1720, optical spectroscopy of a sample within an enclosure of thebenchtop analytical device may be performed by emitting optical energyfrom a probe within the enclosure toward the sample. For instance, theoperator may place a sample within the enclosure of the benchtopanalytical device, may close the lid of the enclosure, and commenceoptical spectroscopy of the sample by pressing a button (e.g., a verifybutton, start button, etc.).

At 1730, the computer may output, via the user interface, a resultverifying (i) that the sample is the type of sample or (ii) the sampleis of a concentration corresponding to (e.g., equal to, within atolerance of, etc.) the selected concentration.

The process 1700 may be implemented in combination with any of thefeatures and functionality described herein for operational use of thedisclosed benchtop analytical device. In particular, the features andfunctionality described with reference to FIG. 12 can be included in thecontext of the process 1700.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a computing environment 1800with which the disclosed subject matter can interact. The system 1800includes one or more remote component(s) 1810. The remote component(s)1810 can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes,computing devices). In some embodiments, remote component(s) 1810 caninclude servers, personal servers, etc. As an example, remotecomponent(s) 1810 can be a remote server, a controller component, aremotely located compliance component 612, 712, 812, 912, etc., userequipment, laboratory information management system (LIMS) component,etc.

The system 1800 also includes one or more local component(s) 1820. Thelocal component(s) 1820 can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads,processes, computing devices). In some embodiments, local component(s)1820 can include, for example, a local compliance component 612, 712,812, 912, etc., imaging component 130, 230, 330, 430, etc., samplepresentation component 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, etc., stagemotion component 1022, 1122, etc.

One possible communication between a remote component(s) 1810 and alocal component(s) 1820 can be in the form of a data packet adapted tobe transmitted between two or more computer processes. Another possiblecommunication between a remote component(s) 1810 and a localcomponent(s) 1820 can be in the form of circuit-switched data adapted tobe transmitted between two or more computer processes in radio timeslots. The system 1800 includes a communication framework 1840 that canbe employed to facilitate communications between the remote component(s)1810 and the local component(s) 1820, and can include an air interface,e.g., Uu interface of a UMTS network. Remote component(s) 1810 can beoperably connected to one or more remote data store(s) 1850, such as ahard drive, SIM card, device memory, etc., that can be employed to storeinformation on the remote component(s) 1810 side of communicationframework 1840. Similarly, local component(s) 1820 can be operablyconnected to one or more local data store(s) 1830, that can be employedto store information on the local component(s) 1820 side ofcommunication framework 1840.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 19, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that performs particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components including the memory. It is noted that the memorycomponents described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatilememory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory, by way ofillustration, and not limitation, volatile memory 1920 (see below),non-volatile memory 1922 (see below), disk storage 1924 (see below), andmemory storage 1946 (see below). Further, nonvolatile memory can beincluded in read only memory, programmable read only memory,electrically programmable read only memory, electrically erasable readonly memory, or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random accessmemory, which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration andnot limitation, random access memory is available in many forms such assynchronous random access memory, dynamic random access memory,synchronous dynamic random access memory, double data rate synchronousdynamic random access memory, enhanced synchronous dynamic random accessmemory, Synchlink dynamic random access memory, and direct Rambus randomaccess memory. Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systemsor processes herein are intended to include, without being limited toincluding, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it is noted that the disclosed subject matter can be practicedwith other computer system configurations, including single-processor ormultiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices(e.g., personal digital assistant, phone, watch, tablet computers,netbook computers, . . . ), microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer or industrial electronics, and the like. The illustratedaspects can also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network; however, some if not all aspects ofthe subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In adistributed computing environment, program modules can be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram of a computing system 1900 operableto execute the disclosed systems and processes in accordance with someembodiments. Computer 1912, which can be, for example, included incompliance component 612-912, etc., sample presentation component620-1220, etc., stage motion component 1022-1122, etc., stateinteraction component 1024-1124, etc., enclosure 110, 310, 410, 610-910,and 1210, etc., imaging component 630-930, etc., environmental controlcomponent 960, etc., includes a processing unit 1914, a system memory1916, and a system bus 1918. System bus 1918 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, system memory 1916 to processing unit1914. Processing unit 1914 can be any of various available processors.Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures also can beemployed as processing unit 1914.

System bus 1918 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including a memory bus or a memory controller, a peripheral bus or anexternal bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, industrial standardarchitecture, micro-channel architecture, extended industrial standardarchitecture, intelligent drive electronics, video electronics standardsassociation local bus, peripheral component interconnect, card bus,universal serial bus, advanced graphics port, personal computer memorycard international association bus, Firewire (Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers 1194), and small computer systems interface.

System memory 1916 can include volatile memory 1920 and nonvolatilememory 1922. A basic input/output system, containing routines totransfer information between elements within computer 1912, such asduring start-up, can be stored in nonvolatile memory 1922. By way ofillustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory 1922 can includeread only memory, programmable read only memory, electricallyprogrammable read only memory, electrically erasable read only memory,or flash memory. Volatile memory 1920 includes read only memory, whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, read only memory is available in many forms such assynchronous random access memory, dynamic read only memory, synchronousdynamic read only memory, double data rate synchronous dynamic read onlymemory, enhanced synchronous dynamic read only memory, Synchlink dynamicread only memory, Rambus direct read only memory, direct Rambus dynamicread only memory, and Rambus dynamic read only memory.

Computer 1912 can also include removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. FIG. 19 illustrates, forexample, disk storage 1824. Disk storage 1924 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tapedrive, flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage1924 can include storage media separately or in combination with otherstorage media including, but not limited to, an optical disk drive suchas a compact disk read only memory device, compact disk recordabledrive, compact disk rewritable drive or a digital versatile disk readonly memory. To facilitate connection of the disk storage devices 1924to system bus 1918, a removable or non-removable interface is typicallyused, such as interface 1926.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any process or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, read only memory, programmable read only memory,electrically programmable read only memory, electrically erasable readonly memory, flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk readonly memory, digital versatile disk or other optical disk storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or other tangible media which can be used tostore desired information. In this regard, the term “tangible” herein asmay be applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, is to beunderstood to exclude only propagating intangible signals per se as amodifier and does not relinquish coverage of all standard storage,memory or computer-readable media that are not only propagatingintangible signals per se. In an aspect, tangible media can includenon-transitory media wherein the term “non-transitory” herein as may beapplied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, is to beunderstood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se as amodifier and does not relinquish coverage of all standard storage,memory or computer-readable media that are not only propagatingtransitory signals per se. Computer-readable storage media can beaccessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., viaaccess requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for avariety of operations with respect to the information stored by themedium. As such, for example, a computer-readable medium can includeexecutable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution,cause a system including a processor to perform operations, including:enabling emission of optical energy in response to determiningconcurrent satisfaction of a group of rules, e.g., via compliancecomponent 612-912, etc.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

It can be noted that FIG. 19 describes software that acts as anintermediary between users and computer resources described in suitableoperating environment 1900. Such software can include an operatingsystem 1928. Operating system 1928, which can be stored on disk storage1924, acts to control and allocate resources of computer system 1912.System applications 1930 take advantage of the management of resourcesby operating system 1928 through program modules 1932 and program data1934 stored either in system memory 1916 or on disk storage 1924. It isto be noted that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented withvarious operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands or information into computer 1912 throughinput device(s) 1936. In some embodiments, a user interface can allowentry of user preference information, etc., and can be embodied in atouch sensitive display panel, a mouse input GUI, a command linecontrolled interface, etc., allowing a user to interact with computer1912. Input devices 1936 include, but are not limited to, a pointingdevice such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard,microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card,digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, cell phone,smartphone, tablet computer, etc. These and other input devices connectto processing unit 1914 through system bus 1918 by way of interfaceport(s) 1938. Interface port(s) 1938 include, for example, a serialport, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus, an infraredport, a Bluetooth port, an IP port, or a logical port associated with awireless service, etc. Output device(s) 1940 use some of the same typeof ports as input device(s) 1936.

Thus, for example, a universal serial bus port can be used to provideinput to computer 1912 and to output information from computer 1912 toan output device 1940. Output adapter 1942 is provided to illustratethat there are some output devices 1940 like monitors, speakers, andprinters, among other output devices 1940, which use special adapters.Output adapters 1942 include, by way of illustration and not limitation,video and sound cards that provide means of connection between outputdevice 1940 and system bus 1918. It should be noted that other devicesand/or systems of devices provide both input and output capabilitiessuch as remote computer(s) 1944.

Computer 1912 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1944. Remote computer(s) 1944 can be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, cloud storage, a cloud service, code executing ina cloud-computing environment, a workstation, a microprocessor basedappliance, a peer device, or other common network node and the like, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described relative tocomputer 1912.

For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1946 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1944. Remote computer(s) 1944 islogically connected to computer 1912 through a network interface 1948and then physically connected by way of communication connection 1950.Network interface 1948 encompasses wire and/or wireless communicationnetworks such as local area networks and wide area networks. Local areanetwork technologies include fiber distributed data interface, copperdistributed data interface, Ethernet, Token Ring, Radius, Diameter, andthe like. Wide area network technologies include, but are not limitedto, point-to-point links, circuit-switching networks like integratedservices digital networks and variations thereon, packet switchingnetworks, and digital subscriber lines. As noted below, wirelesstechnologies may be used in addition to or in place of the foregoing.

Communication connection(s) 1950 refer(s) to hardware/software employedto connect network interface 1948 to bus 1918. While communicationconnection 1950 is shown for illustrative clarity inside computer 1912,it can also be external to computer 1912. The hardware/software forconnection to network interface 1948 can include, for example, internaland external technologies such as modems, including regular telephonegrade modems, cable modems and digital subscriber line modems,integrated services digital network adapters, and Ethernet cards.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subjectdisclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the preciseforms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possiblethat are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples,as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described inconnection with various embodiments and corresponding Figures, whereapplicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitutefunction of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to anysingle embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed inbreadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or deviceincluding, but not limited to including, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a field programmable gate array, a programmable logiccontroller, a complex programmable logic device, a discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processorscan exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to,molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, inorder to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment.A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computingprocessing units.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“platform,” “layer,” “selector,” “interface,” and the like are intendedto refer to a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration and not limitation, both anapplication running on a server and the server can be a component. Oneor more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software or firmwareapplication executed by a processor, wherein the processor can beinternal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can include a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, eachembodiment disclosed herein can comprise, consist essentially of orconsist of its particular stated element, step, ingredient or component.Thus, the terms “include” or “including” should be interpreted torecite: “comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of.” Thetransition term “comprise” or “comprises” means includes, but is notlimited to, and allows for the inclusion of unspecified elements, steps,ingredients, or components, even in major amounts. The transitionalphrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, ingredient orcomponent not specified. The transition phrase “consisting essentiallyof” limits the scope of the embodiment to the specified elements, steps,ingredients or components and to those that do not materially affect theembodiment.

Moreover, terms like “user equipment (UE),” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “subscriber equipment,” “access terminal,”“terminal,” “handset,” and similar terminology, refer to a wirelessdevice utilized by a subscriber or user of a wireless communicationservice to receive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming,or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoingterms are utilized interchangeably in the subject specification andrelated drawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “AP,” “basestation,” “Node B,” “evolved Node B,” “eNodeB,” “home Node B,” “homeaccess point,” and the like, are utilized interchangeably in the subjectapplication, and refer to a wireless network component or appliance thatserves and receives data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream to and from a set ofsubscriber stations or provider enabled devices. Data and signalingstreams can include packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,”“prosumer,” “agent,” and the like are employed interchangeablythroughout the subject specification, unless context warrants particulardi stinction(s) among the terms. It should be appreciated that suchterms can refer to human entities or automated components (e.g.,supported through artificial intelligence, as through a capacity to makeinferences based on complex mathematical formalisms), that can providesimulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Aspects, features, or advantages of the subject matter can be exploitedin substantially any, or any, wired, broadcast, wirelesstelecommunication, radio technology or network, or combinations thereof.Non-limiting examples of such technologies or networks include broadcasttechnologies (e.g., sub-Hertz, extremely low frequency, very lowfrequency, low frequency, medium frequency, high frequency, very highfrequency, ultra-high frequency, super-high frequency, terahertzbroadcasts, etc.); Ethernet; X.25; powerline-type networking, e.g.,Powerline audio video Ethernet, etc.; femtocell technology; Wi-Fi;worldwide interoperability for microwave access; enhanced general packetradio service; third generation partnership project, long termevolution; third generation partnership project universal mobiletelecommunications system; third generation partnership project 2, ultramobile broadband; high speed packet access; high speed downlink packetaccess; high speed uplink packet access; enhanced data rates for globalsystem for mobile communication evolution radio access network;universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio accessnetwork; or long term evolution advanced.

What has been described above includes examples of systems and processesillustrative of the disclosed subject matter. It is, of course, notpossible to describe every combination of components or processesherein. One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many furthercombinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter arepossible.

1. (canceled)
 2. A benchtop analytical device, comprising: an enclosurehaving a lid and a body, the lid being movable, relative to the body,between an opened position and a closed position, wherein, when the lidis in the closed position, the enclosure encloses: a probe mounted onthe body of the enclosure to channel optical energy as part ofperforming optical spectroscopy of a sample; and a sample presentationcomponent to receive the sample; an imaging component to enable viewingof an interior of the enclosure while the lid is in the closed position;and a control mechanism that is usable by an operator, while the lid isin the closed position, to adjust a position of the sample presentationcomponent relative to the probe.
 3. The benchtop analytical device ofclaim 2, wherein the imaging component is configured to image in thevisible spectrum.
 4. The benchtop analytical device of claim 2, whereinthe imaging component is configured to image in a spectrum outside ofthe visible spectrum.
 5. The benchtop analytical device of claim 4,wherein the spectrum outside of the visible spectrum comprises at leastone of the infrared (IR) spectrum or the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. 6.The benchtop analytical device of claim 2, further comprising anillumination component to illuminate the interior of the enclosure whilethe lid is in the closed position.
 7. The benchtop analytical device ofclaim 6, further comprising a compliance component that (i) enablesrelease of the optical energy via the probe in response to determiningthat the illumination component is off and (ii) disables the release ofthe optical energy via the probe in response to determining that theillumination component is on.
 8. The benchtop analytical device of claim2, further comprising a compliance component that (i) enables release ofthe optical energy via the probe in response to determining that the lidof the enclosure is in the closed position and (ii) disables the releaseof the optical energy via the probe in response to determining that thelid of the enclosure is not in the closed position.
 9. A benchtopanalytical device, comprising: an enclosure having a lid and a body, thelid being movable, relative to the body, between an opened position anda closed position, wherein, when the lid is in the closed position, theenclosure encloses: a probe mounted on the body of the enclosure tofacilitate performing optical spectroscopy of a sample; and a samplepresentation component to receive the sample for the performing of theoptical spectroscopy; an imaging component internal to the enclosure toenable viewing of an interior of the enclosure while the lid is in theclosed position; and a control mechanism external to the enclosure thatis usable by an operator, while the lid is in the closed position, tocause movement of at least one of the sample presentation component orthe probe.
 10. The benchtop analytical device of claim 9, wherein theimaging component is configured to image in a spectrum outside of thevisible spectrum.
 11. The benchtop analytical device of claim 9, furthercomprising an illumination component to illuminate the interior of theenclosure while the lid is in the closed position.
 12. The benchtopanalytical device of claim 11, further comprising: a processor; and amemory storing executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the benchtop analytical device to: determine that arule is satisfied, wherein the rule is satisfied when the illuminationcomponent is off; and in response to determining that the rule issatisfied, cause emission of optical energy via the probe to perform theoptical spectroscopy of the sample.
 13. The benchtop analytical deviceof claim 9, wherein the enclosure comprises a viewport with a shutter,the benchtop analytical device further comprising: a processor; and amemory storing executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the benchtop analytical device to: determine that arule is satisfied, wherein the rule is satisfied when the shutter isclosed; and in response to determining that the rule is satisfied, causeemission of optical energy via the probe to perform the opticalspectroscopy of the sample.
 14. The benchtop analytical device of claim9, further comprising an environmental control component to control atleast one of temperature, humidity, or ventilation of the interior ofthe enclosure while the lid is in the closed position.
 15. The benchtopanalytical device of claim 14, further comprising: a processor; and amemory storing executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the benchtop analytical device to: determine that arule is satisfied, wherein the rule is satisfied when the sample is at astable predetermined temperature; and in response to determining thatthe rule is satisfied, cause emission of optical energy via the probe toperform the optical spectroscopy of the sample.
 16. The benchtopanalytical device of claim 9, wherein the performing of the opticalspectroscopy of the sample includes performing Raman spectroscopy of thesample.
 17. A method comprising: imaging, via an imaging component of abenchtop analytical device, at least a portion of an interior of anenclosure of the benchtop analytical device while a lid of the enclosureis in a closed position; causing, based at least in part on useroperation of a control mechanism while the lid is in the closedposition, movement of at least one of a sample presentation component ora probe within the enclosure; and performing, while the lid is in theclosed position, optical spectroscopy of a sample that is positioned onthe sample presentation component, the optical spectroscopy beingperformed by emitting optical energy from the probe toward the sample.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving, via a userinterface and prior to the performing of the optical spectroscopy of thesample, a selection of (i) a type of sample among multiple availabletypes of samples or (ii) a concentration of the type of sample; andoutputting, via the user interface and after the performing of theoptical spectroscopy of the sample, a result verifying (i) that thesample is the type of sample or (ii) the concentration of the sample.19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining, by acompliance component of the benchtop analytical device, that a rule issatisfied, wherein the rule is satisfied based on the lid being in theclosed position; and enabling, by the compliance component, release ofthe optical energy via the probe to perform the optical spectroscopy inresponse to the determining that the rule is satisfied.
 20. The methodof claim 17, further comprising: illuminating, via an illuminationcomponent of the benchtop analytical device, the interior of theenclosure while the imaging is occurring; and turning off theillumination component prior to the performing of the opticalspectroscopy of the sample.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein theperforming of the optical spectroscopy of the sample includes performingRaman spectroscopy of the sample